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The Center for Inclusive Education’s (CIE) year started strong as always. Several sensitivity training sessions were conducted in the first three months of 2020. The Benilde Student Envoys had their three-part specialized training session in January and February, the members of the Student Learning Center had their session in February, while the Hub of Innovation for Inclusion received their training in March.
Ms. Camille Milioga also joined the team in January. She replaced Ms. Nica Mombay as the Learning Support Office (LSO) Case Managers when the latter left to follow her family abroad. Ms. Milioga’s background in Psychology and Guidance Counseling further expanded the perspective of CIE in terms of supporting students.
However, no one was ready for what came next.
The COVID-19 Pandemic struck the Philippines hard in Mid-March. Several places in the country, including Metro Manila, were put on lockdown which resulted in the stoppage of operations for some units of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Benilde).
This, however, did not stop CIE from fulfilling its mandate.
As the mode of learning shifted online, so is the operations of the Center. The LSO continued supporting students through online means - regularly communicating with them via Zoom or messenger. The Advocacy and Research Office, on the other hand, shifted its advocacy work by enhancing CIE’s online presence.
All these efforts resulted in the creation of a new normal for CIE. Orientations and workshops were now facilitated through Zoom meetings. In August and October, CIE, in partnership with the Benilde Well-Being Center, hosted the Passages Orientation to freshmen with specific learning needs as well as their parents. In October and November, several workshops such as the Let’s Talk Inclusion: Teacher Edition, ENGAGED Talks on Inclusive Mobility, and #BeForAll Training were facilitated by the Center.
CIE also did not let the lockdown affect the year’s Inclusion Week celebrations. In partnership with Best Buddies Benilde, CIE hosted several online events from November 23 to 27 to raise awareness and promote inclusion. This culminated in an online concert attended by hundreds of virtual fans.
2020 has been very challenging to everyone, including the members of CIE. However, the Center did not use this as an excuse to not fulfil their mandate to the College. Even through the most challenging times, they are still one in their goal of creating a Benilde for all.