University of Luzon Dean Joins National Dialogue on Private Education

The University of Luzon (UL) reaffirms its commitment to educational excellence with the participation of Dr. Imelda E. Cuartel, Dean of the College of Education, in the prestigious 2-day Private School Summit held from August 29 to 30, 2025, at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, Manila. The summit, a collaborative effort between the Teacher Education Council (TEC) and the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), served as a vital platform for addressing the most pressing issues in teacher education and charting a course for the future of private schooling in the Philippines.

The summit’s agenda was designed to foster a robust dialogue among key stakeholders, including deans and administrators from private educational institutions nationwide. The primary goals were to provide private schools with the latest updates on TEC’s initiatives, such as the development of the Teacher Education Excellence Center (TEEC) and the reframing of the pre-service curriculum. The event also aimed to facilitate a crucial exchange of ideas on how the TEC can better support private schools in fulfilling their mandated roles and to formulate concrete, actionable plans to assist teachers and leaders in these institutions.

Dr. Cuartel’s presence at this high-level forum underscores the University of Luzon’s proactive stance in aligning its academic programs with national educational policies and standards. Her engagement with leaders from the Department of Education (DepEd) and other prominent educational bodies ensures that the College of Education remains at the forefront of pedagogical innovation and teacher development. This participation is part of a broader institutional strategy to enhance the quality of education offered to all Luzonians and to contribute meaningfully to the country’s collective effort to elevate the teaching profession. The discussions on curriculum updates and professional development are particularly relevant as UL continuously works to equip its graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

The collaborative spirit of the summit mirrors the University’s belief that a strong partnership between public and private sectors is essential for building a resilient and effective educational system. As a leading institution in the region, the University of Luzon is dedicated to leveraging such opportunities to share best practices, learn from the experiences of its peers, and advocate for policies that benefit its students and the wider educational community. This engagement is a testament to the University’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence and its role as a responsible steward in the Philippine educational sphere.

The activities at the summit, particularly the focus on quality teacher education and professional development, directly align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By improving the skills and knowledge of educators, these initiatives contribute significantly to SDG 4: Quality Education, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The emphasis on partnerships between government bodies and private institutions, as seen in the collaboration between TEC and COCOPEA, also advances the objectives of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which calls for strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. Finally, by addressing the welfare and professional growth of teachers, the summit’s efforts support the promotion of decent work and economic growth, a key component of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.