Mayor WES Gatchalian, laid out the future plans of the local government for the future of education sector in the city during the Education Summit 2022 held at WES Sports Arena on September 24. 

Education being one of foremost priority of the Valenzuela City Government, many programs have been launched since the past two administrations. Former Mayor WIN Gatchalian in his feat as the city mayor initiated different education programs like the “WIN ang Edukasyon Program” (Education Wins Program), While former Mayor REX Gatchalian spearheaded the launch of the Education 360 Degrees Investment Program.

Education 360 Degrees Investment Program is a systematic and holistic approach to improving the overall quality and standards of the basic education in the city. The program adapts a strategy of covering all relevant aspects of basic education, from school supplies, curriculum, nutrition, teacher competency, parental involvement, to infrastructure. 

COVID-19 pandemic has plagued the country for almost three years now, and it took a toll on the education sector of the country and the city itself, with this, Mayor WES Gatchalian, being a fresh first-termer mayor of Valenzuela City, laid his plans for the future of education system of the city in his administration as he aims to level up the services in every sector of the city.

One of Mayor WES’ proposals is the Big Brother, Big Sister Teaching Program, a mentorship program that will focus on students who are still struggling to catch up with their current curriculum because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will source PLV students to serve as mentors for the said students. According to him, the city will adjust the schedules of both the mentors and the students to fit with each other. This program will also address issues about hearing and vision problems of the students who weren’t able to recognize it in class and thus, hinder them from learning productively.

Second is the Lolo’t Lola Teaching program, a program that will train qualified and capable senior citizens of the city, who are taking care of their grandchildren, to teach and guide the students to catch up with their curriculum. Mayor WES specifically said “Extra care ang pagkalinga ng mga lolo at lola, so we should use them because they are still capable, I always see lolo and lola naghahatid nagsusundo sa mga apo.” [Grandpas and Grandmas take care of their grandkids with extra care, so we should use them because they are still capable. I always see grandpas and grandmas dropping off and fetching their grandkids from school every day.]

Third is the Solo Parent Teaching Program, a program that focuses on solo parents who have several jobs to financially provide for their children, this will coach solo parents to teach and guide their children even on their jammed schedule. This program is in support with the Solo Parent Federation which was organized during Mayor WES’ last term as Valenzuela City Congressman.

Last is the Developmental Program which will address students who experience social issues like bullying, peer pressure, abuse and violence, have separated parents, and several others. This is essential because there are a lot of students who experience these but are not realized by the people around them. Mayor WES, in presenting this program said “Kung sa loob ng tahanan, ‘di maayos ang pagpapalaki sa isang bata, naapektuhan ang kanilang pagaaral, iyan ang katotohanan, ‘di man mapansin ng magulang, ang kanilang saloobin ay tinatago lamang nila sa kanilang sarili, kaya ito ay isang major challenge.” [If inside their homes, the children don’t have proper upbringing, it will affect their studies, that is the truth. Even if the parents don’t notice, they only hide their feelings within themselves, that is why this is a major challenge.]

These are the plans of Mayor WES Gatchalian in providing a better future and adapting into the new normal after the COVID-19 pandemic for the education sector of Valenzuela City. With this, Valenzuela City continues its commitment into education as part of its mission to provide good local governance. This just proves that the city government will pursue every opportunity that will enhance the overall lifestyle of each and every Valenzuelano.

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