LAGAWE, IFUGAO- – No student deserves to be deprived of his or her learning needs.
This has been the thinking of Mungayang Elementary School principal Marcelina Puguon. As the head of this small-sized public school nestled in a key section of the farming village of Mungayang in Kiangan, Ifugao and someone who devoted much of her time in improving the conditions of the education sector, Puguon personally knows the plight of the young.
She witnessed the school’s slow transformation. This pushed Puguon to view inclusive approach of making a difference in the lives of the learners.
This leads to the initiative of constructing the school’s stage.
“It is really a challenge to put up a stage as a means of developing the student’s talents and skills,” she said.
“This certainly covers the infrastructure development of our school and shall inspire and motivate our young learners to study harder,” Puguon told the ZigZag Weekly in an exclusive interview.
“This only motivates one to go above and beyond in order to advance the cause of youth empowerment,” she added.
The planned stage shall serve as a venue for various activities such as the graduation program, academic competitions and community development programs and so “why?”. Each day, the true picture of its vital need will reveal in time.
A site has been identified for this facility. It is just near the gymnasium, also being eyed for expansion. Proponents are looking for fund source from a Senate member and such funding channeled through the General Appropriations Act of 2027 or the national budget.
The school has an abandoned stage, a dilapidated one. It has been showing signs of discomfort to the safety of students. This “jurrasic-looking” structure indeed presents a “clear and present” danger. It would not inspire youngsters to prioritize their own well-being.
For this project, the stage is the start of the school’s new chapter, of new hopes and expectations.
The school has nine teachers, three non-teaching personnel and 220 students.
Founded in 1970, Mungayang Elementary School is committed to give students an opportunity to improve their craft.
However, resources are limited to repair or refurbish facilities.
That is why Mrs. Puguon and many others are actively looking for ways to support its funding needs. That is why private-public collaboration is helpful. Through this partnership, education sector stakeholders become more efficient, effective and productive.
Right now, most Filipinos are getting distressed by the under spending in education. Apparently, a great deal of neglect was seen with the deterioration of the public school system.
Parents and teachers are now feeling the effects of economic hardship. They experience problems triggered by inflation, particularly on the high cost of living. They suffer as a result of the huge resources diverted away from vital services such as education and health care only to be washed and stolen by corrupt and inept senators, congressmen and contractors as shown by the “flood control” scam. The effects are simply enormous and horrendous.
Misplaced priorities only hamper efforts toward nation-building. Inaction on really improving school facilities and providing a meaningful relief to overworked but underpaid teachers by increasing significantly their salaries leaves the matter open to questions in many mind molders.
Adequate and modern facilities in public schools are important in accelerating sustainable economic growth and ensure the well-being of the Filipino people. Undoubtedly, by making this near-impossible dream possible, the long-sought stage for Mungayang Elementary School shall make a positive impression on the national government, in particular the Department of Education. **By Anthony A. Araos
