Biñan LGU signs MOA for 100 new scholars
Published Feb 28, 2023 05:23 am
BIÑAN CITY, Laguna – The city government promised balanced support to both private and public schools amid declining private school enrollment rates over the past years due to challenges brought by Covid-19.
On Monday, Feb. 27, the local government unit (LGU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to send at least 100 college scholars to private Catholic school Colegio San Agustin–Biñan (CSA–Biñan) as part of its Iskolar ng Biñan (INB) program.
The MOA signing, held during the launch of CSA-Biñan College Department’s Silver Anniversary Celebration, was led by Mayor Arman R. Dimaguila, Vice Mayor Gel B. Alonte, City Education Officer Edmil L. Recibe, and CSA–Biñan President Rev. Fr. Wilson A. Capellan, OSA.
Biñan City Government signs a Memorandum of Agreement to send at least 100 college scholars to Colegio San Agustin–Biñan as part of its Iskolar ng Biñan program (Carla Bauto Deña / MANILA BULLETIN)
Under the agreement, qualified students will be given a 100 percent scholarship grant by the LGU. Students who only qualify for the LGU’s 50 percent scholarship grant, on the other hand, will get a 50 percent discount on school fees from the partner school. “We believe that through the interplay of tradition and innovation, we will continue to build a strong and vibrant community that nurtures academic excellence and social responsibility,” CSA College Dean Genevieve Estrañero said during her speech.
Balance between private and public schools
Dimaguila said numerous students transferred from private schools to public schools during the height of the pandemic when distance learning became the preferred learning modality. But even as pandemic restrictions eased, many students opted to stay in public schools for financial reasons. School administrators are witnessing firsthand how private schools are bearing the brunt of Covid-19's effect on education. “It’s the sad reality, private schools can not stand on their own without the support coming from benevolent sponsors, such as parents, who are willing to pay tuition,” Capellan told the Manila Bulletin.
CSA–Biñan President Rev. Fr. Wilson A. Capellan, OSA, gives a speech during the Iskolar ng Biñan Memorandum of Agreement signing (Carla Bauto Deña / MANILA BULLETIN)
“So the government should also balance. Because there are private schools that can offer more, but they need assistance financially to keep afloat.” Dimaguila agrees that disproportionate enrollment rates between public and private schools can eventually lead to bigger problems if not properly addressed. “Dapat ang increase, sabay, hindi 'yung nagi-increase ang isa, bumababa ang isa (The increase should be at the same time, not a case where one increases and the other decreases),” the mayor told the Manila Bulletin.
Biñan City Government signs a Memorandum of Agreement to send at least 100 college scholars to Colegio San Agustin–Biñan as part of its Iskolar ng Biñan program (Carla Bauto Deña / MANILA BULLETIN)
Under the agreement, qualified students will be given a 100 percent scholarship grant by the LGU. Students who only qualify for the LGU’s 50 percent scholarship grant, on the other hand, will get a 50 percent discount on school fees from the partner school. “We believe that through the interplay of tradition and innovation, we will continue to build a strong and vibrant community that nurtures academic excellence and social responsibility,” CSA College Dean Genevieve Estrañero said during her speech.
Balance between private and public schools
Dimaguila said numerous students transferred from private schools to public schools during the height of the pandemic when distance learning became the preferred learning modality. But even as pandemic restrictions eased, many students opted to stay in public schools for financial reasons. School administrators are witnessing firsthand how private schools are bearing the brunt of Covid-19's effect on education. “It’s the sad reality, private schools can not stand on their own without the support coming from benevolent sponsors, such as parents, who are willing to pay tuition,” Capellan told the Manila Bulletin.
CSA–Biñan President Rev. Fr. Wilson A. Capellan, OSA, gives a speech during the Iskolar ng Biñan Memorandum of Agreement signing (Carla Bauto Deña / MANILA BULLETIN)
“So the government should also balance. Because there are private schools that can offer more, but they need assistance financially to keep afloat.” Dimaguila agrees that disproportionate enrollment rates between public and private schools can eventually lead to bigger problems if not properly addressed. “Dapat ang increase, sabay, hindi 'yung nagi-increase ang isa, bumababa ang isa (The increase should be at the same time, not a case where one increases and the other decreases),” the mayor told the Manila Bulletin.
Mayor Arman R. Dimaguila gives a speech during the Iskolar ng Biñan Memorandum of Agreement signing (Carla Bauto Deña / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We will be losing jobs for teaching and non-teaching personnel ‘pag nagsara 'yung school (if the school closes), and the local government, even the national government, could not accommodate all students na pupunta sa public (who will go to public schools).” Alongside partnering with private schools through its INB program, the LGU is helping more students get access to education through its Artista at Atletang Biñanense College (ABC) Scholarship Program. “'Yung talented artists, athletes na may kakayanan, ginawa nating scholar. May kanya-kanya silang skills at pagdating ng panahon, sila ang magbibigay ng pride sa Biñan (We made talented artists and athletes scholars. They have their own skills and, in due time, they will bring pride to Biñan),” Alonte told the Manila Bulletin.