JOSETTE PACHEO-BALANDRA, PhD
The writer, a Doctor of Philosophy degree holder, is a Senior Education Program Specialist – Social Mobilization and Networking in the Division of Sagay City of the Department of Education.
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The year 2020 for the Department of Education in Sagay City was tremendously challenging due to the unexpected pandemic, COVID-19. But even in those challenging times our education partners championed and remained committed to helping our schools fulfill the DepEd’s Mission “where family, community and other stakeholders are actively engaged and share responsibility for developing lifelong learners.”
Truly we can say, this maxim, “together, we are stronger” becomes the inspiration of all in DepEd Division of Sagay City, both teaching and non-teaching as well as our education partners to battle against the challenges faced.
However, the first quarter of S.Y. 2020-2021 had rigged us to a “pick-and-shovel” tight spot on how to commence the implementation of the new landscape of education brought about by the pandemic where no face-to-face classes were authorized, while the education of learners must continue. Learning continuity plans and strategies/modalities have been crafted promptly by division school leaders to address the need of school children of the present situation.
Driven by her vision to search out for resources, the OIC Schools Division Superintendent Arlene Bermejo, CESO VI, was blessed with various donations from the Congressional District, Local Government Unit of Sagay City, and other education partners to mention a few.
Last Sept. 19, 2020, Congressman Leo Rafael Cueva had donated 25 units of computer printers and 1-unit high-speed Mono Color Ink Jet Printer with automatic sorting and stapling features worth 2 million pesos, as support for the reproduction of Self Learning Modules of the learners.
The City Government of Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon, III had allocated the amount of P4,012,257 from its General Appropriation Act Fund as donation for the provision of Radio Cassettes, school supplies for Kinder to Grade III learners and including offline learning resources to support the modules of Sagaynon learners.
Kindness overflowed from Moving Bridge Foundation Inc. chaired by Elbridge Gutierrez who selflessly showed generosity in donating 5 units of Risograph machine worth P600,000.
“Brigada ng Ayala 2020” had done their share in giving 500 packs of Ayala EduCare containing washable face masks, face shields, alcohol, hand soap, notebooks, and writing materials, hygiene kits were donated to 5 recipient schools. The Ayala Foundation Incorporated is in partnership with the 6 Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.
The psychological preparation of the parents, teachers and learners to be mentally ready in facing the challenges of the new normal was championed by the partnership of the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas which fostered exceptional contribution through unselfishly sharing their resources and experts to many online engagements with us.
TUP-V now acts as SDO Sagay’s Education Partner Institution in the implementation of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the division under the New Framework and Plan of Action. Such profound engagement had greatly contributed to the preparedness of the conduct of distant learning classes under the new normal.
Providing us with an illustrious medium to play and replay our module episodes is the Star Viewing Network Inc. with Sherjames Sy as the owner/manager. He offered without hesitancy the use of one channel in his local cable station.
DYAG Hapi Radio, on the other hand, donated 50 percent less of its airtime rental in support of our distance learning modalities. Other private individuals like Grace Morizawa, Odette Hofileña, Myrah Flor Hapitan and engineer Dario Recuelo never hampered by the pandemic to share their love and blessings to our schools by donating radio cassettes and SLM printing materials.
A snappy salute is also given to our teachers who never get tired of being passionate about their work. At the same time with much appreciation, the parents who kept on trying their best to support their children by keeping and holding on to the promise that education must continue no matter what the circumstance is.
Indeed, Bayanihan spirit had never lost its sparkle in the midst of pandemic. Our education partners made DepEd Sagay City stronger in the year 2020. They never failed to help us continue nurturing our learners.
The world is a better place because there are always good-hearted individuals out there willing to share… willing to care. – NWI
