PREL conference builds up a global education network

The construction of a global network of scholars and educators is one of the major accomplishments of the 16th Annual Pacific Education Conference which was concluded yesterday, local officials said.

The existence of modern technology such as Internet and e-mail paves the way for the participants to keep their contact and continue their discussions with one another even after the conference.

“Even though our islands are divided by waters, that doesn’t mean that we should be apart and separate. Education is our unifying force. We could bridge the gap by being together in advancing the interests and well being of our children,” said Lt. Gov. Jesus Sablan.

Sablan said he was proud that the CNMI has been chosen again to host the conference.

The conference, Sablan said, offered opportunities for professional enhancement “through exchanges of ideas, experience, and even mistakes.”

Sablan also said the event has given Saipan a good exposure, which can boost the local. tourism.

The three-day conference, organized by the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning and held at the Marianas High School, was attended by more than 500 participants who include scholars, teachers and school administrators from the mainland U.S. and Micronesian states and entities.

Education Commissioner Rita Hocog Inos said that through this gathering, scholars and educators from the mainland were able to see both the strengths and weaknesses of the education system in the Pacific region.

“The conference delegates have made contacts around the world. They have exchanged e-mail addresses, and through that they will be able to contact one another and continue asking questions and exchanging ideas,” Inos said.

“No matter how remote we are, technology can lessen the gap. This networking and exchanging of ideas will be very healthy for the professionals in the CNMI and other islands,” she added.

Inos said educators from the mainland have offered strategies to make it possible for Micronesian children to overcome learning difficulties and to succeed in meeting the national standards in academic achievement.

Inos also said the workshops offered at the conference gave the Public School System staff and teachers access to skill enhancement trainings in the areas of technology, school safety, students discipline, effectiveness in leadership, and reading strategies among others.

“We can’t afford to send people all over the world to take these types of training,” Inos said. “This conference offered us the opportunity to make ourselves more equipped to deal with the education issues that affect our children now and in the future.” (MCM)