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Reframing Service-Learning (SL) as a Pedagogy of Care (PoC): Toward a Humane Framework for Religious and Theological Education

Submitted: February 21, 2026 | Published: June 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63130/hijcre.v3i1.231

Authors

  • Paulo Antonio Aton The Academy, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9055-8344
  • Joenel Buencibello The Academy, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8285-4998
  • Elmgay Valeriano Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, Formation and Empowerment De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0782-0234
  • Gracita Perez Lasallian Pastoral Office, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

Keywords:

Empathy, Global Citizenship, Humane Education, Service-Learning, pedagogy of care

Abstract

This study contends that Service-Learning (SL) must be systematically grounded in the Pedagogy of Care (PoC) to foster humane and transformative education in the 21st century. While SL is recognized for cultivating civic responsibility, cultural humility, and sustainability, it risks becoming transactional, lacking care, and privileging outputs over relationships while neglecting socio-emotional needs. Using a conceptual-theoretic approach, this paper synthesizes care ethics and SL scholarship to propose the CARES (Connect-Analyze-Respond-Extend-Self Evaluate) Framework, inspired by See-Discern-Act-Celebrate-Evaluate, as a structured pathway for embedding attentiveness, relationality, and responsibility into SL design, mentoring, and reflection. Through CARES, learners see community realities with empathy, discern needs through dialogue, act responsibly in solidarity, celebrate shared growth, and evaluate outcomes with accountability. In the fragile and anxious conditions of the BANI landscape, this integration positions care as the ethical foundation of humane 21st-century learning, transforming SL into a vital pedagogy for resilience, empathy, and global citizenship.

About the Author/s

Paulo Antonio Aton

Paulo Antonio L. Aton is a faculty member and Service-Learning Mentor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), under the Senior High School program of The Academy, De La Salle University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Divine Word Mission Seminary, where he also completed his Master of Arts in Philosophy, magna cum laude. He pursued Professional Education at the Mariano Marcos State University – College of Teacher Education and is a Licensed Professional Teacher.

Joenel Buencibello

Joenel B. Buencibello is a licensed professional teacher, and a permanent faculty member of De La Salle University – The Academy, Manila. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and Values Education from the University of San Carlos and a master’s degree in Systematic Theology from the St. Vincent School of Theology at Adamson University. He has presented his research outputs at both local and international conferences and is actively involved in the academic community through teaching, research publication, service-learning, and curriculum development.

Elmgay Valeriano

Elmgay M. Valeriano is a Student Affairs Specialist and educator with over a decade of experience in Catholic education and student formation. She coordinates Special Groups under SLIFE at De La Salle University Manila and is pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership and Management at St. Paul University Manila. Her work centers on student formation, values education, service-learning, and Catholic education research. She has presented and published widely and currently chairs the CEAP-NCR Student Affairs Committee.

Gracita Perez

Gracita S. Perez is a licensed professional secondary teacher, pastoral worker, and formator at De La Salle University Manila. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education major in English from Adamson University and a master’s degree in Religious Education major in Catechetics from Don Bosco Center of Studies, Parañaque City. His academic and professional work includes writing modules and facilitating retreats and recollections, with several years of experience in student formation and religious education.

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Published

06/30/2026

How to Cite

Aton, P. A., Buencibello, J., Valeriano, E., & Perez, G. (2026). Reframing Service-Learning (SL) as a Pedagogy of Care (PoC): Toward a Humane Framework for Religious and Theological Education. Hitik: International Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators, 3(1), 153-173. https://doi.org/10.63130/hijcre.v3i1.231

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