The Taguig City government will deploy personnel to set up Help Desk Stations in all public schools in the city to assist parents and students relating to the opening of classes on Monday.
“On June 5, we will be setting up Help Desk stations in all schools to assist the parents and students, especially the transferees,” Local School Board [LSB] head Dr. Natividad Jimenez said.
The National Maintenance Week, popularly known as Brigada Eskwela, was also held from May 15 to May 20 in 23 elementary schools and 13 secondary schools of Taguig.
Brigada Eskwela showcased the modern way of “bayanihan” among teachers, parents, students, volunteers and other members of the community. Under the program, different sectors helped in the repair of school buildings, and ensured cleanliness in their premises.
According to Jimenez, the students have already received their free uniforms from the Taguig government. The girls received three blouses and two skirts, while boys got three polos and two pairs of pants. High school students are also set to receive Physical Education uniforms.
Students will be receiving a complete set of notebooks, pencils and ball pens. Additional items will also be given to grade schoolers such as sharpeners, crayons, a pair of scissors, pad papers and health kits (for preschoolers up to Grade 3) containing powder, toothpaste, face towel and bath soap.
“Grab bags” or emergency kits will also be provided to elementary students.
Each bag contains a whistle, a garbage bag, a flashlight, a scarf, candies, mineral water, a power bar, paracetamol, alcohol, cotton, hydrogen peroxide, Povidone Iodine, a face mask, first-aid paper tape, gauze bandage, and a first-aid gauze pad — essential items in times of emergencies and disasters.
“We’re investing in education to make sure every Taguigeño is given a chance to go to school. I think this doesn’t only alleviate our citizen’s lives but is also establishing a positive impact that by doing this, we are creating equal opportunities for all,” Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano said.
Providing for all the needs of students is proof that Taguig City gives top priority to education. In addition to this, school buildings and daycare centers have been renovated or newly-constructed to ensure that the facilities are child-friendly and conducive to learning.
Because of this investment for education, Taguig City managed to be number one in the National Achievement Test for elementary and high school level for two consecutive years (2014-2015). In 2014, Taguig ranked first in the Big Schools Cluster and in 2015, the city was the overall number one both in the Grade 6 and 4th-year levels in the National Capital Region.
Moreover, the local government’s Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-need or LANI Scholarship Program has produced board topnotchers and licensed professionals.
Recently, 59 scholars from the program successfully passed the board and bar exams in Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Customs Broker, Law, Nursing, Medical Technology, Pharmacy and Nutrition from November 2016 to May 2017.
Former LANI scholars Engr. Guiseppe Andrew B. Buffe and Engr. Ronald Ian T. Borja ranked first (with a score of 91.6 percent) and 10th, respectively, in the recent Aeronautical Engineering Licensure Examination and Electrical Engineer Board Examination.
On the other hand, the city-run Taguig City University continues to offer free college education so high school graduates can pursue education up to the tertiary level. TCU students are also full scholars of the city since the local government shoulders all their tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses.
Another educational highlight in Taguig is a P625-million scholarship fund which supports students enrolled in various institutions including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. There are eight (8) types of scholarship granting subsidies of P10,000 to P100,000. The city has also extended this scholarship program to graduate, law and medicine students.