PIAN donates printers, paper for Balik Eskwela Program
Each year, the Parola Inter-Agency Network (PIAN) provides students residing in the Parola Community with educational assistance through its Balik Eskwela Program. Since its roll out, the program has been giving pre-identified beneficiaries of PIAN member organizations with learning kits. This year, the Balik Eskwela Program shifted its focus to address the challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last September, PIAN donated printers, printer ink supply, and 600 reams of A4 bond paper to the Rajah Solaiman Science and Technology High School and to the Jose Abad Santos High School to support the schools’ capability to reproduce modules and other materials for distance learning.
COVID-19 delayed the opening of classes for the school year 2020-2021 to September. With face-to-face classes suspended, students must undergo distance home learning, which requires additional resources on the part of public schools, prompting the Government to seek assistance from the private sector.
Prior to the start of classes, PIAN held engagement meetings to identify entry points and gaps in the transition to online modalities and distance learning. After careful consultation with stakeholders, PIAN determined that most schools have limited logistics capabilities especially when it comes to the reproduction of learning materials and modules.
PIAN will continue to support the Government’s mandate to provide students access to quality education. PIAN’s and its member organizations’ efforts are guided by the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. The Balik Eskwela Program is PIAN’s response to the UN SDG#4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all.
Turnover of printers and paper supplies to Rajah Solaiman Science and Technology High Scholl and Jose Abad Santos High School on 11 September