JOANNE BENITEZ
Speaker Eugenio Perez National Agricultural School (SEPNAS) launched a program to eliminate drop-outs in the school. Mr. Gilbert S. Baysic, a teacher in SEPNAS observed a high drop-out rate of Grade 10 students in the previous year. He pondered on the issue and came up with "Studyante Ko, Iskolar Ko Program". This program allows sponsors to extend their financial, moral and spiritual help beyond their present reach and possibly even beyond their lifetime.
Potential supporters are recognized not merely as providers of funds but as people with a mission- the mission to extend oneself to students who are determined to visualize the dream they set for themselves but cannot afford the cost of education. The adopted student or scholar chosen based on their academic performance and potential, as well as their financial challenges. He or she must be under SARDO (Students At Risk of Dropping Out). During the selection process, all Grade 10 teachers were gathered and informed about the program. They were given a checklist to assess their students to know if they are qualified. Out of 825 Grade 10 students, 20 were chosen to be scholars.
The adoptive parent or sponsor will provide thirty pesos for the meal allowance and twenty pesos for the transportation allowance daily for one year. Baysic will be in charge of handing out the allowances of the scholars. The daily visits will also allow him to monitor them. As a sign of gratitude, the sponsors will receive an award in the Moving Up Ceremony.
According to Mr. Baysic, if the program becomes successful, it will be implemented in all grade levels.