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By Josh Worden
When ACSI formally registered an office in the Philippines in 1998, it was a perfect opportunity to meet the needs of the local community. Christian schools were in desperate need of support and services, and local church leaders warmly welcomed the help and resources the office provided to support their Christian schools.
According to Dr. Ces Tajale, ACSI Country Director and CEO of ACSI Philippines, in 1998, “many of the church schools were poorly organized, lacked opportunities for professional and leadership development, and often needed consulting to come into compliance with the law of the Philippines concerning private and church-based schools.”
The office’s 25-year journey has included multiple turns of fate. While it has witnessed steady growth for much of its tenure, it also experienced a difficult downturn that was exacerbated by the 2020 pandemic. Together, staff are now excitedly casting a vision for future growth.
At its peak, the office in Manila served more than 300 member schools, employing seven full-time staff members. Together, they orchestrated a variety of events aimed at strengthening educators and Christian school students, including an annual Leadership Conference, Educators Conference, Student Leadership Conference, Music and Arts Festival, and more.
In 2018, however, Tajale, as the incoming Country Director, discovered that ACSI Philippines membership had recently declined. Together, committed staff reached out to former members. They wanted to know how the office could better equip, resource, and serve them.
Staff also began exploring new opportunities for growth and expansion, including publishing and certification programs.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges—and ACSI Philippines faced a devastating loss. Tragically, the team lost a dear staff member due to the virus.
"Nevertheless, our office and our leadership were relentless,” Tajale said. “At the onset of the pandemic, we gathered all member schools for prayer meetings and consultation. It boosted their morale and strongly encouraged them to face the challenges and be creative.”
Tajale envisions a bright future for ACSI Philippines. She sees the office serving as a primary Asian Pacific hub for Christian education. Through exceptional educational programs, the team can exercise a special focus on training and equipping Filipino teachers who are serving in the country and those who plan to teach abroad.
“The Philippines is the leading producer of teachers in Asia, having close to 2,500 higher education institutions in the country,” Tajale said.
While Tajale maintains lofty goals for the ACSI Philippines office, there are a few challenges in front of them. In addition to needing two desktop computers, Tajale hopes to add an air-conditioning unit and video cameras for training purposes.
Tajale said that they are “proactively looking for ways” to make the office sustainable.
“We are continually looking for ways to augment revenues through the many services that we offer to schools and through possible partnerships with other trustworthy organizations,” she said.
The office is currently hiring two additional staff, both virtual and physical, to expand their team to support their newly launched early education certification program. Soon, they plan to offer certifications for teachers at all levels, as well as school leaders and principals.
“We are now in a new season and as a Christian educator and leader, I am bracing myself to face the tasks that lie ahead in pursuit of our mission. It is now time to move on with new, younger people on board. We will push for innovation and more collaboration among our member schools, especially those who stayed with us for the past two decades and a half,” Tajale said.
ACSI Philippines’s 25-year journey has been filled with great adventures and many twists and turns. Although the office suffered setbacks for many years, it has continued to faithfully help Christian schools thrive while educating children with a biblical worldview. With God’s help, they have overcome many roadblocks.
As they celebrate their 25th anniversary, with the theme, “Rooted & Grounded,” taken from Ephesians 3:16-19, Tajale and her team are excited to continue passionately advocating for Christian education for many more years to come and are determined to push for new programs that will serve Christian schools and educators across the Asia Pacific region.
When ACSI formally registered an office in the Philippines in 1998, it was a perfect opportunity to meet the needs of the local community. Christian schools were in desperate need of support and services, and local church leaders warmly welcomed the help and resources the office provided to support their Christian schools.
According to Dr. Ces Tajale, ACSI Country Director and CEO of ACSI Philippines, in 1998, “many of the church schools were poorly organized, lacked opportunities for professional and leadership development, and often needed consulting to come into compliance with the law of the Philippines concerning private and church-based schools.”
The office’s 25-year journey has included multiple turns of fate. While it has witnessed steady growth for much of its tenure, it also experienced a difficult downturn that was exacerbated by the 2020 pandemic. Together, staff are now excitedly casting a vision for future growth.
At its peak, the office in Manila served more than 300 member schools, employing seven full-time staff members. Together, they orchestrated a variety of events aimed at strengthening educators and Christian school students, including an annual Leadership Conference, Educators Conference, Student Leadership Conference, Music and Arts Festival, and more.
In 2018, however, Tajale, as the incoming Country Director, discovered that ACSI Philippines membership had recently declined. Together, committed staff reached out to former members. They wanted to know how the office could better equip, resource, and serve them.
Staff also began exploring new opportunities for growth and expansion, including publishing and certification programs.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges—and ACSI Philippines faced a devastating loss. Tragically, the team lost a dear staff member due to the virus.
"Nevertheless, our office and our leadership were relentless,” Tajale said. “At the onset of the pandemic, we gathered all member schools for prayer meetings and consultation. It boosted their morale and strongly encouraged them to face the challenges and be creative.”
Tajale envisions a bright future for ACSI Philippines. She sees the office serving as a primary Asian Pacific hub for Christian education. Through exceptional educational programs, the team can exercise a special focus on training and equipping Filipino teachers who are serving in the country and those who plan to teach abroad.
“The Philippines is the leading producer of teachers in Asia, having close to 2,500 higher education institutions in the country,” Tajale said.
While Tajale maintains lofty goals for the ACSI Philippines office, there are a few challenges in front of them. In addition to needing two desktop computers, Tajale hopes to add an air-conditioning unit and video cameras for training purposes.
Tajale said that they are “proactively looking for ways” to make the office sustainable.
“We are continually looking for ways to augment revenues through the many services that we offer to schools and through possible partnerships with other trustworthy organizations,” she said.
The office is currently hiring two additional staff, both virtual and physical, to expand their team to support their newly launched early education certification program. Soon, they plan to offer certifications for teachers at all levels, as well as school leaders and principals.
“We are now in a new season and as a Christian educator and leader, I am bracing myself to face the tasks that lie ahead in pursuit of our mission. It is now time to move on with new, younger people on board. We will push for innovation and more collaboration among our member schools, especially those who stayed with us for the past two decades and a half,” Tajale said.
ACSI Philippines’s 25-year journey has been filled with great adventures and many twists and turns. Although the office suffered setbacks for many years, it has continued to faithfully help Christian schools thrive while educating children with a biblical worldview. With God’s help, they have overcome many roadblocks.
As they celebrate their 25th anniversary, with the theme, “Rooted & Grounded,” taken from Ephesians 3:16-19, Tajale and her team are excited to continue passionately advocating for Christian education for many more years to come and are determined to push for new programs that will serve Christian schools and educators across the Asia Pacific region.