On 29-30 June 2009, Dr. James DeCaro, director of PEN-International, welcomed three representatives from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to PEN headquarters. De La Salle's School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) has been a member of PEN-International since 2002.
Brother Victor Franco, FSC, president of the college; Robert Tang, vice president for Academics; and Theresa Christine de la Torre, director of the Center for Access and Development, met for two days to explore the idea of starting a secondary school program for deaf students in Manila. Nora Shannon, PEN Senior Project Associate, facilitated the discussion. This exploration phase is the first part of a four-part process that will be used to establish the school, which will be accessible to students of all economic levels. Students selected to attend will meet high expectations and will join a school community dedicated to learning.
In order to become more familiar with the educational system in the Philippines, Ms. Shannon will visit Manila this summer and, with Ms. de la Torre, will develop a proposal and timeline for the establishment of the new school.
