Based on 2019 Bar results: 2 Cebu law schools among top performers

CEBU, Philippines —  Two law schools in Cebu make it to the Top 10 performing schools in the 2019 Bar Examination based on overall performance of examinees, as ranked by the Legal Education Board.

The University of San Carlos and University of Cebu are in the list of schools that had at least 65 examinees, placing fifth and sixth, respectively.

“We are most grateful for the acknowledgment even as USC Law pledges to continually innovate and reimagine legal education in this new learning environment,” said Atty. Joan Largo, dean of USC School of Law and Governance.

With the COVID-19 pandemic posing a huge challenge to the academe, UC School of Law dean Al-Shwaid de Leon Ismael says UC will remain "steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality legal education and holistic training."

“While the pandemic poses daunting challenges to legal education, I would like to think of said challenges as an opportunity to introduce innovations that will further improve the performance of the law school generally as an institution that produces top-notch, passionate, and conscientious lawyers," Ismael says in a statement.

For one, he says, the law school has adjusted its methods and programs, and trained its faculty on new teaching strategies and techniques to fit the new normal.

Class size is also reduced as a precautionary measure and enhance quality education.

“Services of the law school, including its library and other support units, are also adjusted to meet the unique requirements of legal education under the new normal. We also forged partnerships with prominent foreign law schools and local and international organizations in line with the law school's goal of producing globally competitive graduates," Ismael says.

“We revisited and revised our academic curriculum and policies and set more precise goals and direction for the law school. We introduced several innovations consistent with our new vision, i.e., to become a leading institution for legal education, ethical excellence, global competence, and social responsiveness," he adds. — FPL (FREEMAN)