Businessmen launch TEN Moves to build 10,000 classrooms

MANILA, Philippines - Wanted: Two million Filipinos who will donate P10 a day for 10 months to raise funds to build 10,000 classrooms in two years.

This is the intent of the “TEN (The Entire Nation) Moves program recently launched jointly by the League of Corporate Foundation (LCF) and the Department of Education.

According to Education Secretary Armin Luistro, private corporations which have recognized the urgent need for classrooms have come up with Bayanihang Pampaaralan, an initiative under the 57-75 Movement to build 10,000 classrooms in two years.

At current levels, DepEd placed classroom shortage at 66,000 units. The corporations mobilize the fund-raising campaign through their respective foundations or by giving programs under the umbrella of LCF.

Luistro said TEN Moves is part of the Bayanihang Pampaaralan’s public fund raising campaign that aims to raise P6 billion to build 10,000 classrooms.

“We open this opportunity to our kababayans who have the capability and the heart to chip in for education. We may not be expected to help in big ways but certainly P10 a day for ten months is manageable,” added Luistro.

Bayanihang Pampaaralan consolidates classroom building efforts and directs funds to construct classrooms in areas that need the most assistance — public elementary and high schools in the 40 most challenged school divisions.

Cecile Alcantara, president of LCF noted that Bayanihang Pampaaralan is anchored on the vision of providing school children with a place where they can learn, build their dreams and reach their aspiration.

“On a bigger perspective, this initiative is an opportunity to improve school and student performance where there is accountability and multi-stakeholder partnerships,” explained Alcantara.

The retail fundraising campaign has two objectives. One, raise the needed resources to build classrooms, one of the perennial problems that hound the education sector. Two, create a constituency for education among ordinary Filipinos.