San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Thursday, Jan. 11, unveiled the much awaited Makabagong San Juan rubber shoes to be given to all public school students of San Juan as part of the local government's efforts in ensuring the quality of learning for the youth.
Mayor Francis Zamora
In his Kwentuhan with Mayor Francis Zamora program, the mayor showcased the red and white colored sneakers to be given to around 3,000 San Juan public school learners. Zamora said the distribution of the sneakers may start by April.
"We are manufacturing close to 13,000 pairs of this rubber shoes kaya hindi po ganyan kabilis gumawa ng 13,000 sapatos at ito po ay customized. Talagang specially designed and manufactured for San Juan public school students (We are manufacturing close to 13,000 pairs of this rubber shoes and it's not that easy and quick to make these 13,000 pairs as this is customized. The rubber shoes are specially designed and manufactured for San Juan public school students)," the mayor explained.
He added that all students have already been checked for their foot sizes in the recent months, ensuring each of them will receive a pair perfect for their size.
"Sa lahat ng mag-aaral na makakatanggap nito, nawa'y patuloy kayong mag-aral nang mabuti sapagkat sinisikap ng pamahalaang lungsod na maibigay ang lahat ng tulong at suporta sainyo upang wala na kayong problemahin pa kundi ang mag-aral. (To all students who will receive this, I hope you will all study diligently because the city government is doing its best to give you all the help and assistance you may need so that your only focus is to study well)," Zamora noted.
Power of education
In a previous interview with Manila Bulletin, Zamora highlighted the city's milestones in ensuring quality education for public school students and the importance of education in achieving their dreams and aspirations.
"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 said.
"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 assistance to public school students)," he added.
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 i-reward mo para maramdaman naman nilang 'Uy 'yung effort ko eh may bunga pala'. Hindi 'yung trabaho ka nang 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.
Equality
The local chief said that the city government is doing its best to provide public schools the same level of education the private schools have 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 to create 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.