Mariella Felisse Cubero
GE 10 – BB
Reflection on the article “Whole Person Education: The Goals and the Challenges”
Link to the article: https://unitedboard.org/ben-s-malayang-iii-silliman-university/

Dr. Ben S. Malayang III provided an exemplary take on the WPE (Whole Person Education) subject in his interview. As a student reading this article, I found his definition of WPE to be on-point; concise and simple while at the same time adding substance to the subject without the need for complicated terminologies.

Delving deeper into the article, Dr. Malayang III emphasized on the United Board’s role in helping colleges and universities integrate WPE into their curricula, and to my understanding, he thinks that the United Board can work towards establishing standardized criteria and accreditation systems that emphasize not only academic excellence but also the development of character, integrity, and faith in educational institutions which could all lead to a more holistic evaluation of educational quality. This includes cross-institutional collaboration, advocacy and awareness, faculty development, research and evaluation, and cultural and interfaith dialogue, that is the United Board can facilitate interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange within educational institutions, promoting tolerance, understanding, and respect among students from diverse backgrounds.

He also discussed several challenges that come with these propositions, and the implications of these challenges are multifaceted. Successfully addressing them requires a commitment to cultural sensitivity and adaptability to accommodate diverse regional and religious perspectives. Overcoming faculty resistance and facilitating pedagogical shifts necessitates substantial investment in professional development and support. The challenge of establishing universally accepted standards underscores the need for collaboration and research to define measurable outcomes related to character, integrity, and faith development. Balancing cultural diversity with common educational goals highlights the importance of fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding. Ultimately, addressing these challenges can lead to the effective integration of whole person education, fostering graduates who excel academically while embodying strong character, integrity, and faith, contributing to a more holistic and enriched educational landscape.

Finally, according to Dr. Malayang, the United Board, in collaboration with its partners, serves as a vital platform for fostering discussions and forums, presenting a distinct opportunity to tackle the challenges and ease the transition to whole person education.