CNMI to host Pacific educators summit

Educators from the Pacific will gather next month for the biggest regional academic summit which will discuss, among other things, changes in technology and how the education sector can explore and take advantage of them.

“The conference will give leaders involved in education the opportunity to interact with other people and ask questions. Everybody will have the chance to share ideas and learn from one another,” said Rep. Malua T. Peter, chairman of the Pacific Education Conference 1999 organizing committee.

At the same time, Peter added, the conference will provide opportunities for education leaders in the region to build friendships and professional relationships.

The 16th Annual Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) with the theme “Pacific Communities: Leaders of the New Millennium,” will be held on July 27 and 29 at the Marianas High School.

At the pre-conference, which is scheduled for July 26, the delegates will tackle several issues including common sense parenting, comprehensive school reform, English literacy, enhancing teaching through telecommunications, and parental role in improving the child’s ability to read.

The organizers also said the conference will explore telecommunication resources that enhance teaching and learning in a multicultural context.

“Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about effective integration strategies that use technology to support student learning, and will explore promising classroom projects, integration strategies, professional growth opportunities, collaboration through e-mail, and Internet-based resources and publication opportunities,” the committee said.

Maria T. Pangelinan, secretary-treasurer of the committee, said participating teachers at the conference would be updated on new teaching methods that come with modern technology.

Workshop and activities that appeal to teachers, principal, parents, students and community members will also be part of the conference, according to the organizers.

Island states and entities in the Pacific take turns hosting the summit, and this is the third time for the CNMI to host the event, according to Jean Olopai, vice chairman of the committee.

The CNMI first hosted the event in 1984, and then in 1994, Olopai said.

The conference is expecting about 500 delegates from American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohpei and Yap) Guam, Hawaii, Marshall Islands.

“The conference offers a venue for all educators in the region to come together and share programs and ideas that work in the Pacific,” Olopai said.

Margaret Dela Cruz, vice president of Mount Carmel School and program coordinator of the organizing committee, said PEC would also provide a venue for delegates to “showcase what they have as far as culture is concerned.”

Cultural presentations are part of PEC traditions.

“This is important for us to bring coalition and unitedness among Pacific region people,” Dela Cruz said.

PEC is sponsored by the Public School System, Northern Marianas College, and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. Continental Micronesia will be the official carrier of the delegates.