Yesterday morning, GMEFI Executive Director Gil Reoma met and discussed with Philippine Federation of the Deaf [PFD] Vice-President Yvette Apurado the project PFD is to implement in Novaliches, specifically at Rosa Susano Elementary School [RSES]. The project initially meant to teach Filipino Sign Language [FSL] to both Deaf students and their parents is under GMEFI Fund Assistance Program. Note that next to Autism Society Philippines, PFD is the second GMEFI grantee.
Because of the hearing interpreter’s absence, Ms. Apurado communicated with Mr. Reoma through writing — with success. Ms. Apurado later went to meet Ms. Mercy Cubero, RSES Principal to finalize the schedule of Deaf students who will be attending the FSL classes to be handled by PFD members.
After Ms. Apurado’s discussion with Ms. Mercy Cubero, the latter suggested changes from her original proposal. Instead of holding daily classes, she proposed that the Filipino Sign Language class intended for Grade 6 be held once a week, every Monday, from 12:30 – 2:30 pm. The dates are as follows:
- July 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2016
- August 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2016
Unfortunately, parents who are primarily targeted to benefit from this project cannot participate because of conflict with their schedules. As such, Ms. Cubero requested that PFD just focus on 14 Deaf students from Grade 6 who have weak signing skills which adversely affect their learning.
