Perspective! FILIPINO TEACHERS OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN THE FIELD OF TEACHING DRAFTING

Teaching drafting is an essential task that equips students with practical skills and knowledge in design and technical drawing. In the Philippine public schools, providing effective instruction and redirecting the students in a sustainable future in drafting is one enormous challenge of drafting teachers. From limited resources to changing educational environments, Filipino teachers encounter a variety of challenges. One of the biggest challenges faced by drafting teachers in the Philippines is the lack of resources and outdated equipment. A number of schools especially the public schools struggle to provide modern drafting tools and software, making it difficult for students to properly understand new technologies and adapt new industry practices. Teachers are frequently forced to use traditional methods, which limits their ability to expose students to current industry standards and modern trends and techniques. Moreover, lack of professional development opportunities hinders teachers to enhance their skills and well-rounded in the technical aspects of drafting. Professional development is highly needed for teachers to keep up with the latest trends and advancements in the field of drafting. Unfortunately, Filipino drafting teachers often face limited opportunities for professional growth and training which impedes their ability to enhance their teaching methods and explore innovative instructional strategies In addition, drafting is a multidisciplinary subject that intersects with various fields such as engineering, architecture, and design. However, the integration of drafting into the broader curriculum is often lacking. Some schools separate drafting from practical applications by making it a stand-alone curriculum. Most importantly, drafting teachers in the Philippines frequently struggle with lack of recognition and support from both educational institutions and society. The focus on academic subjects such as Math and Science often overshadow the importance of vocational and technical skills like drafting resulting to drafting teachers struggle to garner the respect and support, they deserve. Filipino teachers who dedicate themselves to teaching drafting encounter numerous challenges such as limited resources, a lack of professional development opportunities, inadequate curriculum integration, and insufficient recognition. However, by addressing these challenges head-on will improve the teaching and learning experience in drafting. Creating an environment that empowers teachers to overcome these challenges and provide the students with the skills they need in drafting will make them globally competitive.

-oOoThe author is TLE Teacher III San Isidro High School Sta. Ana, Pampanga