The Basic Education Cluster held its 2021 Convocation last October 27 with the University President via Zoom and was attended by its faculty and administrators. Led by the principals, Fr Frank Savadera SJ (Grade School), Dr Pamela Pajente (Junior High School) and Dr Rogelio Gawahan (Senior High School), 300 participants joined the virtual annual gathering.

In her opening remarks Dr Dulce Dawang, VP for the Basic Education cluster, shared how excited she was for more innovations as everyone gears up to move towards the next normal.  University President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, shared two presentations, the Ten University Priorities and Plans and the Campus of the Future Project, which gained positive feedback from the participants.

In his presentation of Priorities, Fr Mars highlighted the Andrew L Gotianun Center of Integrated Technologies as a priority for Basic Education. In addition, he cited the vast importance of free vocational-technical education for financially-challenged students and the generous donation of the Gotianun family to Xavier Ateneo. Another priority project unique to the BEd is the OneXUGS, with its ongoing consolidation work in four essential aspects of the Grade School. Finally, he also mentioned the key contributions of BEd administrators and faculty in several priorities of the university.

Some concerns and queries raised in the ensuing conversations were XU’s own vaccination program, possible face-to-face classes, salary and benefits, pandemic support, transportation services, housing, research, entry to campus during the pandemic, free RT-PCR tests, etc. The University President took note of certain concerns for review and discussion with his Council and the concerned units.

After Fr Mars responded to the various concerns of the participants, they expressed hope and excitement, especially now that they know of the immediate plans of Xavier Ateneo. Most of them gave the feedback that they were now more motivated to work hard and give their best, knowing the university's plans and being assured that the welfare and development of its employees were among the priorities. The majority of the participants also expressed excitement about the upcoming Campus of the Future project, eventually known as the Manresa campus.

Another highlight of the Convocation was introducing and welcoming the 39 newly-hired teachers of the Basic Education cluster.

Xavier Ateneo welcomes the newly-hired teachers for Basic Education cluster: Grade School (7), Junior High School (10) and Senior High School (22)

Group photo of the 300 participants composed of the teaching staff and administrators from Grade School, Junior High School and Senior High School during the annual Basic Education Cluster Convocation.