LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – One cannot be sure that learning modes will turn out well if students have them only in classrooms. A visit to Tungngod Elementary School in Lagawe reveals why, and it does more.
The school lacks a library. It also faces other lingering problems such as outdated classrooms, a “condemned” building and unreliable water supply line. It reflects urgent and decisive actions from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the national government. These actions serve as a key to providing learners’ access to quality education.
That is why school head Joselito Allaga is moving heaven and earth to improve conditions to improve the institution. For what is the young’s hope and joy for in which they are pining for in their prayers. Graciously and earnestly seek the intercession of the Lord for the provision of the library.
In many ways, Allaga has enjoyed a great synergy through the years at Lagawe Central School and Tungngod Elementary School. Interestingly, these learning institutions have always shared the vision of transforming youngsters into productive members of society. Truly, many are first and foremost proud to be served by Mr. Allaga, a devoted and brilliant educator whose success is based mainly on acting swiftly on school problems.
“Building facilities that are more conducive to learning is vital in uplifting the education sector.” Allaga said.
All that changed when Allaga interacted with teachers, parents and barangay council officials.
Perhaps, the classroom problem is a legitimate concern. According to Allaga, most classrooms need minor or major repairs.
A building has been flagged due to safety risks. In fact, it was described as a “condemned” building. “As much as we could, we need a new building for our students to replace the condemned one,” Allaga told the ZigZag Weekly. The building poses a safety and security risk to students and teachers alike. Said building is dangerous. Students are in dire need of a disaster-resilient, adaptive and safe building.
For now, the other first things, though. For the school also needs a library. The Philippines ranked last in reading comprehension among 79 nations in 2018. Subsequently, the use of the terms “learning gaps” in the education sector spread rapidly throughout the country, superseding so many ways meant to create reading interest among the student population.
Push Congress to craft a 10-year masterplan for modern library infrastructure. In this way, by making definite and precise moves about the future and designating structural and curricular objectives based on modern-day trends, the DepEd can begin to shape a truly efficient education system. To make public school libraries well-attuned to high learning standards, Congress should focus on libraries adaptability to climate change and resilience to disasters. Construction of libraries must then move in the future tense.
To sharpen the young learner’s future-focus role in nation-building, students can be asked to spend their own time in a library. The library drives them away from vices. Today, students are susceptible to these menaces.A gun battle in Barangay Tungngod early this year resulted to the death of a drug pusher. The order of the day is to keep the young from abuse, drugs and crime.
Make reading fun and fulfilling at a library. It makes possibilities to a whole exciting world of opportunities.
For this school, the stakes are so enormous. These developments shall mold the youth sector to be a driving force in the formation of social capital in the promotion of a more equitable and more sustainable growth and development.
One sees why the moment an individual begins listening to the men and women who spent hours at a library are even now creating the future. This is to say what Tungngod Elementary School-presently with 110 students under the tutelage and guidance of seven teachers, in the future. Reversing the neglect of a public-school library is an integral part of a world of accelerant change.It is a critical indicator of change in the quality of life among stakeholders in rural education. **By Anthony A. Araos
