The good school

Following the onslaught of typhoon Ompong, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed that the government cannot always use public schools as shelters.

This was a recommendation made as well by Education Secretary Leonor Briones during preparations at Camp Aguinaldo. Upon hearing this, I was instantly reminded of a project my friends and I started in Quezon City in the hopes that public schools truly become hubs for learning.

Our goal was to help the community understand, together with our local government and the Department of Education, that schools are the heart of any community.

Every parent, street sweeper, neighbor, barangay tanod and your favorite mamang sorbetero all played their parts to ensure that the school within their community was not only safe but also a source for learning and honing skills.

Partnerships between the Red Cross and our public school for example were made to help equip teachers, students, and members of the community to be prepared in cases of emergency while on the other hand, activities with artists devoted their time to develop creativity and love for our own culture.

The idea of Our Good School Project was truly meant to blend both public and private resources which in the long run benefit the entire community as a whole.

I believe Education plays a great role in nation building and one needs to make the necessary investment.

Our learners are our future nation builders after all. Equipping our schools through proper engagement enables members in the community to build connections and opportunities for lifelong learning.