Start Date
6-6-2013 9:30 AM
End Date
6-6-2013 10:40 AM
Description
The purpose of this paper is to provide a possible design for more discipline-based or interest-based approaches to the implementation of the National Service Training Program (NSTP), a legally-mandated program for tertiary level students in the Philippines aimed at contributing to the general welfare of members of Filipino communities who are at the margins of society. Through such approaches, pursued more intentionally at the Ateneo de Manila this past year, students’ particular academic disciplines or areas of interest become crucial elements in both the formation of the students and the service of marginalized communities. First, this paper describes and differentiates terminologies such as service learning, discipline-based approach, interest-based approach, civic engagement and volunteerism. Second, this paper highlights details of a discipline-based approach to NSTP through anecdotes or cases of students belonging to particular academic departments at the Ateneo. This part of the paper also touches on how such an approach affects both the students and the clientele from their assigned communities. Third, this paper likewise shows how NSTP in Ateneo, even as a required program, has sought to encourage volunteerism through the engagement of accredited student organizations in activities serving various NGOs and institutions—an approach that might be termed as “interest-based” NSTP. Finally, some recommendations on how to move forward in the implementation of NSTP using more discipline-based or interest-based approaches are Paper presented.
Recommended Citation
Alzona, O. (2013, June). Lingkod: Pursuing discipline-based and interest-based approaches to the implementation of the National Service Training Program. Paper presented at the 4th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Service-Learning: Service-Learning as a Bridge from Local to Global: Connected world, Connected future, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China.
Included in
Lingkod : pursuing discipline-based and interest-based approaches to the implementation of the National Service Training Program
The purpose of this paper is to provide a possible design for more discipline-based or interest-based approaches to the implementation of the National Service Training Program (NSTP), a legally-mandated program for tertiary level students in the Philippines aimed at contributing to the general welfare of members of Filipino communities who are at the margins of society. Through such approaches, pursued more intentionally at the Ateneo de Manila this past year, students’ particular academic disciplines or areas of interest become crucial elements in both the formation of the students and the service of marginalized communities. First, this paper describes and differentiates terminologies such as service learning, discipline-based approach, interest-based approach, civic engagement and volunteerism. Second, this paper highlights details of a discipline-based approach to NSTP through anecdotes or cases of students belonging to particular academic departments at the Ateneo. This part of the paper also touches on how such an approach affects both the students and the clientele from their assigned communities. Third, this paper likewise shows how NSTP in Ateneo, even as a required program, has sought to encourage volunteerism through the engagement of accredited student organizations in activities serving various NGOs and institutions—an approach that might be termed as “interest-based” NSTP. Finally, some recommendations on how to move forward in the implementation of NSTP using more discipline-based or interest-based approaches are Paper presented.