San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Monday, Aug. 7, highlighted the city's milestones in ensuring quality education for public school students and the importance of education in achieving their dreams and aspirations.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora with the city's young learners.
"I believe so far so good naman tayo when it comes to education. One-is-to-one ang kada students sa tablet, laptops ang Grades 3-6 ng Pinaglabanan Elementary School. Sa classrooms merong fiber-optic internet connection, may smart TV, ganun din sa bahay ng public school students (I believe so far so good naman tayo when it comes to education. We have achieved a one-is-to-one student and tablet ratio and have provided laptops for all Grades 3-6 students of the Pinaglabanan Elementary School. All classrooms have also been installed with fiber-optic internet connection, 55" smart TVs, as well as in the homes of our public school students)," Zamora shared in an interview with Manila Bulletin.
All pupils have also been given school uniforms and for this incoming school year, new pairs of rubber shoes, which is the city government's newest initiative.
"I'm seeing kasi na every now and then, San Juan would win various awards either academic related or sports related so nakikita natin na yung effort eh nagbubunga. We reward all students, we give them recognition, we give educational assistance to public school students (I'm seeing that every now and then, San Juan would win various awards either academic related or sports related so I can really see the efforts are bearing fruit. We reward all students, we give them recognition, we give educational assitance to public school students)," the mayor noted.
On July 20, Zamora lauded all Grade 6, 10, and 12 graduates of the city's public schools and announced that they will receive incentives from the city government to inspire them to become good leaders.
All honor students of the city's public schools will receive cash incentives ranging from P2,000 to P10,000, while all Grade 12 graduates will get P3,000 each.
"For next school year, all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students studying in San Juan public schools will receive one pair of red and white rubber shoes which they can use with their current red and white school and PE uniforms. Also, through the support of Congresswoman Bel Zamora, we will be providing P3,000 educational assistance on a per family basis to our public school students," he said.
During the interview, Zamora underscored the importance of giving credit where it is due and the impact it gives to inspire the city's learners.
"It's our small way of giving positive reinforcement to them. Ako naman eh I give credit where credit is due. Pag may gawin kang maganda eh di ireward mo para maramdaman naman nilang "Uy yung effort ko eh may bunga pala." Hindi yung trabaho ka ng trabaho tapos ganun pa din naman, parang sometimes they think na what's the point? When they realize na their efforts are rewarded, mas nagpupursigi sila. (It's our small way of giving positive reinforcement to them. I personally give credit where credit is due. If you've done something good then you will receive a reward. This helps them feel that their efforts are being recognized. When they realize that their efforts are rewarded, they become even more inspired and they persevere)," Zamora explained.
Quality public schools
The local chief said that the city government is doing its best to provide the same level of education private schools have in its public schools to blur the line between the two educational institutions.
The city government had previously opened wooden covered basketball courts that are at par with international standards to further boost the learners' athletic abilities, and built and renovated large and modern public school buildings and classrooms creating a more learning conducive environment for the city's youth.
"Tumataas regularly ang enrollment natin also because people are seeing the benefits like dati yung mga estudyante natin ang tingin nila ay "Oy sa public school ganito sa private school ganito." Right now, what we are trying to achieve is to go even beyond what the private schools are giving (Our public school enrollment rate increases regularly mainly because people are seeing the benefits unlike before when our students often see the disparity between public schools and private schools especially when it comes to facilities. But right now, what we are trying to achieve is to go even beyond what the private schools are giving)," Zamora stressed.
The city government also provided its public school teachers with laptops.
"We try to give everyone a nice working environment, para sa students, a nice learning environment. Yung mga needs nila andyan (We try to give everyone a nice working environment, and for our students, a nice learning environment. All their needs are given to them)," the mayor said.
"I truly believe that giving them good education will prepare them for the future," he added.