Innovative school program gains community support

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2008) – The municipal government has launched a school program and community workshop to make parents achieve better children education.

The program also responds to various problems encountered in providing quality education.

The Comprehensive Learning Assistance and Support for Schoolers by Mayor Rom (CLASSROM) was launched Friday (July 4) by the local government with Synergeia Foundation.

The occasion was also the town's 1st Education Summit attended by 600 Grade 1 parent-participants of its 23 elementary schools from 19 barangays.

"Lack of classrooms, facilities, teachers, books, and malnutrition confront our dream for quality education," Mayor Rom Falgui said.

"We have only very few achievers we can count by our fingers. We cannot rely on our internal revenue allotment or support from the national government," the mayor disclosed. "These are not enough."

CLASSROM envisions a community that works hand-in-hand in delivering quality education and aims to improve the education system by providing financial and psychological support to the elementary pupils.

"Nagsisimula po ito sa isang napakagandang komunidad (It can all start in a beautiful community)," said Governor Migs Dominguez.

"Binibigay po namin ang magiging kinabukasan natin. Ito ang pwede nating gawin (We are giving you the best for our future. This is what we can do)"

Governor Dominguez emphasized that the local government encourages students to get into sports as a form of discipline for them to become globally competitive and develop self-esteem and the spirit of winning.

At the workshop, parents identify problems encountered by their children at school leading to their poor performance. Result shows these are mostly caused by lack of reading habits.

After the workshop, parents promised to help their children do homework.

"We promise to help our children do their homework, provide their school needs, and encourage them to spend more time reading," the parents said in a manifesto.

For his part, Mayor Falgui said "quality education is always in the development agenda of this administration and it remained a top priority of your municipal government."

He said quality education depends on quality educators which involves a strong parent support.

Local cooperative Kiambayanihan Incorporated extended scholarships to Falel Community Center Elementary School and Badtasan Dance Group of the indigenous Tboli children.

Smart Communications along with its Read-to-be-Smart school program for poor kids provided school supplies for the Falel Grade 1 pupils.

The Alcantara Foundation through executive director Cecile Dominguez delivered an P80,000 check as initial support to CLASSROM Project. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)