Notes

Not everyone has access to stable internet connection to go through the whole course. With this, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) through the Communities Against Rabies Exposure Project (PGIN-GARC CARE) conducted an Offline REC lecture last November 12-13, 2015 at Palacio de Laoag, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

A wide range of participants were in attendance, they were Education major students, professors, veterinarians, animal health workers, midwives, and nurses. Before the start of the lecture, a 20-item pre-test was given to the participants to gauge their knowledge on the topics.

All the five modules were then discussed and presented using the prepared Powerpoint Presentations. After the discussion of every Module, the participants were divided into smaller groups for a breakaway session. In the breakaway session, scenarios related to the previously discussed module were given to the participants to answer. This also gave the participants an opportunity to discuss among the group their learnings and ask clarifications.

Module 1 which is about rabies, and how do people and animals get the disease, was discussed by GARC Field Veterinarian Dr. Dianne Licuan. Module 2 (How to avoid dog bites and prevent rabies) was presented by PVO Veterinarian Dr. Jeneveve Suliva, while GARC Field Project Coordinator Dr. Rosebelle Gamal discussed Module 3 (Caring for Animals). Lastly, GARC Community Education Officer Ms. Eunice Mendoza presented the Role of Community Educator in preventing dog bites and rabies (Module 4) and the basics on Communicating with People (Module 5).

After going through the five modules, the participants answered the 40-item Final Assessment. To pass the course and receive their certificates, one must have a score of 32 points (80%) or higher. The final assessment was accessed online. Some of the participants answered their final assessment using their own laptops. Meanwhile, those who did not have laptops went to Mariano Marcos State University Computer Laboratory in Laoag City to take their final assessment.

A total of 45 participants received their Certificate of Achievement for completing the Rabies Educator Certificate Course.