The Foreign Service Institute’s (FSI’s) Core Programs Section conducted the Basic Foreign Service Staff Employees’ Course (BFSSEC) from 01 to 19 March 2021 with 26 Foreign Se

The participants after completing “Information and Communication Technology System,” the session conducted by Mr. Rovel C. Ticzon (top row, second from left).

The Course is offered to equip the participants – whose work involves a wide array of tasks – with the basic knowledge and skills to enable them to carry out their specific functions more effectively. 

The Course included topics that focused on enriching the participants’ knowledge in clerical, administrative, and technical work. In addition, it provided theoretical concepts while tapping some practical aspects of their duties and responsibilities in the Home Office and at Foreign Service Posts.

The session on “Work Ethics,” conducted by Atty. Rosalita Rances-Petaca of the Civil Service Commission (highlighted tile).

Shifting from the traditional classroom modality to 100% online learning, the Course was delivered through a hybrid online modality: synchronous and asynchronous. 

In the synchronous sessions, the resource persons and the participants met together in real-time. Simultaneously, the Gender Sensitivity Training, delivered asynchronously, allowed the participants to access the Course’s online learning content and materials at their own pace.

The Course was also upgraded to include timely topics for discussions. “The Love of Country” highlighted the beauty of the Philippines and its people through video presentations on Filipino history, culture, and art. This new session was included through the initiative of FSI Director-General Jose Maria A. Cariño in an effort to instill in the FSSEs a deeper understanding of the Filipino identity and appreciation of the Filipino culture. This session required an essay output to allow the participants to reflect and evaluate their thoughts on Filipino identity and culture. This batch also received more in-session activities to enhance their learning experience and support learning retention. 

The participants appreciated the Course’s relevance and timeliness. They found its contents highly relevant and value-adding to their work in the Department. Many commended the choice of knowledgeable resource persons from a pool of experts in each field. 

As a continued effort of traversing the new normal, the implementation of BFSSEC stands as a testament to the Institute’s adaptability and innovation.