Southern Leyte State U-Tomas Oppus collabs with DepEd Southern Leyte for Project WIKAnTALK

Southern Leyte State University – Tomas Oppus, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) Southern Leyte, launches Project WIKAnTALK. Project WIKAnTALK is an extension activity of the Filipino Education Program of Southern Leyte State University, Tomas Oppus Campus. The term "WIKAnTALK" originates from the English phrase "we can talk," which means "let's talk." It is a coined term that focuses on discussions about the Filipino language with teachers from the Department of Education. The word "TALK" in English is an essential platform for the exchange of knowledge about the transformations and approaches in language and literature.

The consultative meeting is attended by the Filipino Education faculty, DepEd administration officials, and stakeholders. Dr. Isidro C. Catubig, CESE, Assistant School Division Superintendent of DepEd Southern Leyte, begins the meeting with a warm welcome talk. Following this, Dr. Mark B. Galdo, the Project Leader of WIKAnTALK, presents the project and outlines its objectives and the potential impact on Filipino education. The project represents the technological and authentic approach to linguistic and literary knowledge that addresses the current needs of basic education, especially in teaching Filipino.

Presided over by Dr. Hilda D. Olvina, Education Program Specialist in Filipino, DepEd Southern Leyte, the meeting provides a platform for an open forum. DepEd personnel express their enthusiasm for the collaboration and emphasize how the project aligns with the DepEd National Reading Program. They highlight its role in strengthening Filipino teachers' pedagogical skills and readiness to engage in research.

The meeting concludes with a closing statement from Dr. Norlyn L. Borong, Program Chair of the Filipino Education Department at Southern Leyte State University – Tomas Oppus. She expresses her optimism for the project's success and its contribution to the advancement of Filipino education.