West Visayas State University (WVSU), through its College of Education, officially opened today, May 11, the Institution-Based Summer Training Program for Multigrade Teachers with an opening program and enrollment held at the WVSU AV Hall.
Implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Summer 2026 program gathered 144 teacher-participants from Regions VI, VII, VIII, and the Negros Island Region (NIR), highlighting the University’s expanding role in advancing multigrade education across the Visayas.
Participants came from various divisions in Western Visayas, including Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Capiz, Aklan, and Negros Occidental; from Central Visayas, including Bohol, Cebu Province, Naga City, Danao City, and Talisay City; and from Eastern Visayas, including Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Borongan City, Biliran, Baybay, Maasin City, Catbalogan, and Calbayog.
Representatives from the Negros Island Region also joined the training, including participants from Sipalay, Silay, Escalante City, Siquijor, Kabankalan City, Canlaon City, Cadiz City, La Carlota City, Negros Oriental, Guihulngan City, Bayawan City, and Tanjay City.
To accommodate the large number of participants, the scholars were divided into two groups, with Class A holding sessions at the WVSU AV Hall and Class B at the WVSU Center of Teaching Excellence (CTE).
The month-long training program is designed to strengthen the competencies of teachers handling multigrade classes through practical, research-informed, and learner-centered approaches tailored to diverse classroom settings.
The intensive professional development initiative features a six-unit training track focused on multigrade pedagogy, curriculum mapping, integrated instruction, differentiated learning, and reflective teaching practice.
According to the program description, the training aims to help educators transition from a traditional “grade-separated” teaching approach toward a more flexible multilevel learning model that encourages collaboration, peer teaching, and integrated lesson planning across grade levels.
Featured courses include MG 401: The Multigrade Specialist: Pedagogy, Philosophy, and Learner Profiling, MG 402: The Spiral Lens: Advanced Curriculum Mapping and Vertical Synthesis, and MG 403: The Learning Architect: Mastering Integrated Instruction and Tiered Design.
The training will run until May 30, 2026.
WVSU also noted that grades earned in the program may be credited toward equivalency in the Master of Arts in Education major in Teaching in Challenged Areas offered by the University.
The initiative reflects the University’s continuing commitment to advancing quality teacher education and supporting educators in delivering inclusive, responsive, and transformative learning experiences across underserved and geographically challenged communities.
