Building the foundations and nurturing the holistic development of young people, especially those who are still in their formative school years, are crucial for their growth and character development as future adults.
As educators, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao’s (Mapúa MCM) High School department recognizes its role as an institution in fostering not just academic excellence but also holistic development among its Junior and Senior High School students.
Mapúa MCM High School Principal Cesar Glenn A. Josio, LPT, MAT-Math explains what holistic education is and what makes it an integral part of education.
“Holistic development is all about helping students grow in every aspect—not just academically but also emotionally, socially, physically and even spiritually. It is making sure they become well-rounded people, not just high scorers in exams,” Josio begins.
“For me, holistic development is what makes education meaningful. When I think of it, I imagine learners who are not just smart but [also] kind, curious, responsible and confident. It’s the kind of growth that sticks with them even after they leave school. Grades are important, of course, but real life needs more than just academic knowledge. Junior and Senior High learners are at a stage where they’re figuring out who they are. We need to prepare them and build their life skills like handling pressure, making good decisions, working with others and, of course, understanding themselves better,” he adds.
At the heart of what Mapúa MCM does is holistic development and it is deeply rooted in its curriculum. The learning institution designs every subject not only to teach content but also to shape values, mindset and essential life skills as these help learners grow as individuals.
Another way that Mapúa MCM applies holistic learning to education is by also putting a strong focus on developing and offering co-curricular activities to its students.
“Whether it is through performances, contests, outreach or research, they get to see the bigger purpose of what they are learning. Clubs and organizations are another key part of school life. These spaces allow students to explore their interests, practice leadership, and build meaningful relationships. They become more confident, more curious, and more socially aware. In and out of the classroom, our learners are guided to grow not just in knowledge but also in character and in purpose,” Josio explains.
Yuan Miguel B. Llanos, a high school student at Mapúa MCM High School, shares his experience as a student who benefits from holistic learning.
“I think that holistic development is something we all experience. Every passing year, we tend to develop more socially or mentally. Here at Mapúa, it’s like I had a fast-forward button and developed so fast. The environment, the challenges and the opportunities push students to step out of their comfort zones. Whether through academics, extracurricular activities or leadership roles, holistic development allows us to grow into well-rounded individuals, preparing us for the future. It’s not just about learning facts but also about becoming adaptable, resilient and confident in different aspects of life,” Llanos says.
Co-curricular activities helped shape how Llanos is as a student leader at Mapúa MCM through the Mapúa MCM High School Supreme Student Government (SSG).
“As the SSG President, leadership is close to my heart. Becoming a leader encourages other skills and lets you harness everything that you’ll need as a student. It helps you understand, learn, and experience things that you need to enjoy your high school life. However, leadership is just one part of holistic development. Aside from academic excellence, students should also develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, teamwork and time management. Junior and Senior High School are the formative years where students build the foundation for their future. If we only focus on grades, we miss out on other skills that are just as important in life. Holistic development ensures that students are not just knowledgeable but also capable, confident, and prepared for whatever lies ahead,” the student leader declares, his confidence in expressing his belief evident.
Josio believes that students like Llanos develop valuable skills and traits and learn relevant lessons from holistic development.
“Aside from being knowledgeable, they would also learn how to effectively communicate, to collaborate, to think critically and creatively. They learn empathy, resilience, self-awareness, and responsibility. They become better at handling stress and solving problems. Most of all, they learn that success isn’t just about being the best in class, it’s about being the best version of themselves,” the Mapúa MCM High School Principal concludes, assuring learners and parents of high school students of the many benefits that holistic learning can contribute to students’ growth.
Mapúa MCM, both in High School and even in tertiary education, remains committed to equipping students with essential competencies through a globally competitive education standards and is also an advocate of holistic development among students that exposes them to diverse backgrounds, communities, and perspectives that enable them to think and reason as empowered individuals. Mapúa MCM offers various services and activities that students can avail of for holistic development such as Counseling, Online Referral, Electronic Information Service, Psychological Testing and Assessment, Wellness Wednesday, Music Fridays: An Open Mic Activity, Free Massage Service, Mapúa Malayan Peer Facilitators Club, Mental Health Seminar, Parenting Webinar, Career Day, and Psychosocial Intervention. Explore how students can thrive through holistic learning at Mapúa MCM, learn more at www.mcm.edu.ph.
