By Adi Quisido
My Scene

AS IT turned 10 years old last May 29, the Exegesis School of Davao has grown from a neighborhood preschool with only 22 students, to a full-fledged grade school with almost 200 students benefiting from its dynamic curriculum.

Founded by Naxidez Nuez Ebarle, or Teacher Gay as her staff and students fondly call her, Exegesis now calls home a bigger location, the former Bajada Preschool on JP Laurel Avenue.

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It has two buildings that house their offices, library, laboratory, stage, canteen, and air-conditioned classrooms for the preschool and grade school.

However, it's not the new location or the bigger building that makes this relatively small school noteworthy. Exegesis has a unique and relevant character I did not find in most traditional schools in Davao.

One of the things I found notable is the Exegesis Creed, excerpts of which go like this: "I am God's gift because I am born to love and be loved. I am unique -- born and made like no other. I am appreciated and accepted the way I am... I am God's handiwork, so beautifully made and wonderfully complex!"

Written by Teacher Gay, the creed is memorized at heart by each child in the school. It is commendable that they look at each child as unique, accepting and appreciating the child's totality, imperfections included.

This gives the students a sense of affirmation for who they are, setting the foundation for an open and dynamic learning environment where the children are encouraged to be the best they can be.

Teacher Gay explains that Exegesis (ek-si-jee-sis) means "the study of the truth by drawing from the passage the clearly intended meaning using context, other scripture passages on the same topic, and legitimate tools of understanding."
Exegesis also stands for the school's core values of Truth, Character, Excellence, Competence, and Christ-likeness. It is committed to quality Christian education grounded on truth and character. Its curriculum provides hands-on learning experiences on exploration, discovery, literacy, and social interaction, allowing to flourish each child's expression, curiosity, and creativity.

While a traditional school, Exegesis also employs the developmental approach especially for kids who thrive and respond better to this method. This is also grounded on their motto that says, "The Heart of Education is the Education of the Heart."

Part of the school's mission is to train and equip every child in "academic excellence and life skills needed to excel both within and beyond the walls of Exegesis."

One of Exegesis' jewels is its competent and well-trained teaching staff who continues to pursue professional development, equipping them with creative and innovative teaching strategies that hone every student's potential.

Teacher Gay shares her vision with her husband, Eng. Jocip L. Ebarle, who has been her partner since the school's inception. A professor at the Ateneo Graduate School, Mr. Ebarle is the school's no. 1 supporter.

While Exegesis' student population has increased, the number of students per class is still wonderfully small compared to most schools. This allows their teachers to give quality time and attention to each student, making their observations on a child's performance more accurate and insightful.

Teacher Gay said they are hoping to be able to teach high school in the near future. This will augur well for the students who wish to continue or start learning the Exegesis way.

"Our vision is not only for a year, so we do not plant wheat. Our vision is not only for a decade, so we do not plant trees. Our vision is for a lifetime, so we plant people," quotes Teacher Gay.

Between my own browsing of reputable grade schools, and the personal experiences of relatives and friends whose children are all over Davao's grade schools, I can say there are only a handful of excellent schools to which parents can wisely entrust their children's education. In my very short list, one of these is the Exegesis School of Davao.