Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) launched the “Primero Ang Tersero” Educational Program, which aims to arrest the decline in the educational standards of public elementary and secondary high schools in his district.

The program, which was held in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Province of Cebu, was attended by all the third district supervisors, mayors and other municipal representatives.

“This proves your commitment to the enhancement of the standards of education to the third district,” Rep. Garcia said during the launching of the summit.

Rep. Garcia initiated the program due to the latest 2006-2007 National Achievement Test (NAT) results, which had five elementary schools and one secondary school from the third district in the ten lowest performing schools in Central Visayas.

The schools were Loay Elementary School (Toledo City), Tangub Elementary School (Pinamungajan), Anislag Elementary School (Pinamungajan), Magcalape Elementary School (Asturias) Lunas Elementary School (Asturias) and Pinamungajan National High School (Pinamungajan).

These schools garnered a mean percentage score (MPS) of 34 per cent and below, particularly in the areas of Math, English and Science.

Rep. Garcia called all DepEd District supervisors to the summit to come up with concrete and doable solutions. Included in the one-day summit were planning workshops participated in by all supervisors.

The summit focused on the key area of human infrastructure in the educational system. Causes that have been identified were the low commitment of teachers, the decline of attendance on teachers and students, inadequate teaching skills of teachers, lack of books and other instructional materials, the lack of supervision of teachers by higher authorities and the existence of combination or multi-grade teachers.

Continuous trainings for teachers is seen as one of the immediate and doable solutions. Rep. Garcia already allocated P5 million for the teacher trainings, and is prepared to add another P5 million if the program succeeds. The program also tapped the support of the Cebu Normal University, represented by Dr. Ester Velasquez, as venue for the continuing intensive teacher trainings in English, Math and Science.

As a result of the summit, a technical working group that would continually monitor developments in the district’s education will also be formed.

“An educational program can only be successful if the stakeholders have a say on what that program should be and how it should be implemented,” Rep. Garcia added.

DepEd, on the other hand, is grateful for the immediate action taken on the matter.

“Our thanks to Congressman PJ (Garcia) and Gov. Gwen (Garcia) for having felt the urgency of this education summit,” said Schools Division Superintendent Serena Uy, adding, “This coming together is a great opportunity for us to focus our minds on the things past, our strengths and weaknesses.”

Assistant Regional Schools Superintendent Recaredo Borgonia also added that education is “too important to be left to DepEd alone,”

Aside from having teacher trainings, Rep. Garcia also plans to give incentives to teachers and students who will do well through scholarships, study grants and tours, and cash.