Education legacy left by ELSA in Mindanao
Jannie greeted everyone in the plenary hall when was called to speak. “I am lucky because my teachers were trained in teaching Science, English and Math (ESM). The learning kits and instructional materials from USAID EQuALLS Project greatly helped us in our studies,” she emphasized. “Unlike before, we have to bring scarce materials to be able to perform actual exercises and experiments,” she added.
Jannie is only one of the countless students in Mindanao who benefited from the different educational initiatives implemented under the ELSA Project. Apart from supporting students, ELSA also assisted 210 parents, teachers associations (PTAs) and local school boards (LSBs) through trainings that strengthened their capacities in planning, program and financial management among others.
Out-of-school youths were not left behind. ELSA provided access to basic education and livelihood skills training to 30,000 OSYs.
A cadre of 563 ESM mentors/learning facilitators was also developed to help other teachers improve their skills in the three subject areas. School management system is expected to be enhanced with 556 school administrators trained.
Teaching has been enhanced among 19,195 teachers with improved methodologies in experiential-based learning in ESM. ELSA also provided small projects in the form of community incentive grants to 210 PTAs and OSY groups. Forty-four (44) classrooms constructed and 132 others repaired, decongesting overcrowded rooms and schools, providing better learning atmosphere among students. In addition, one hundred thirty-six (136) community learning centers were also constructed in the project sites to compliment the over all education initiatives of the ELSA Project.
The assistance package eased the burden of school children who are the main beneficiaries of the projects implemented by ELSA.
“Thanks a lot for I gained more knowledge because of these projects,” Jannie said in her speech. “With trained teachers, I am confident that I can achieve better grades during examinations,” she added.
“We the young learners are forever grateful. A million thanks to all of you who helped us. I wish this program would continue to bring benefits to other children too. In behalf of my classmates and other students; thank you very much,” Jannie ended as she expressed gratitude to all who did their best in implementing ELSA in Mindanao.
With projects implemented in the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, North and South Cotabato, Cotabato City and Sarangani, ELSA is a partnership composed of the IYF, Ayala Foundation, Consuelo Foundation, Petron Foundation, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
ELSA projects are being funded by USAID-Philippines through the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS) Project.
