by MARIFE A. CAŇARES

A mother of four would be seen diligently sweeping the campus grounds on a sunny day of May. She would be joined later by other women who are 4P’s beneficiaries and who are required to be a part of our school’s annual Brigada Eskwela. When asked if they feel they are forced to participate in the Brigada Eskwela program, they honestly replied that at first, they were apprehensive to join because they thought that they are being coerced to work in the school for the release of their 4P’s allocation. But as years went by, they realized that such activity had made a tremendous impact on their sense of worth as they contributed to the group’s spirit of volunteerism. Not only had they shown support to the school, but also, it’s their simple way of expressing gratefulness to the community which protects their right to better living.

This particular act is simply a manifestation that the school must consider the significant role of parents and stakeholders to ensure the success of every endeavor. This is also called as teamwork.

According to the well-renowned author on leadership, Andrew Carnegie, he defined teamwork “as the ability to work together toward a common vision- the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results”.

Indeed, Brigada Eskwela best exemplifies teamwork. It is a perfect picture of stakeholders lending a helping hand to the school and its educators. This partnership built between the community and the school creates a stronger bond that produces exemplary outcomes despite the challenges posed by this Pandemic.

When the world had faced an invisible foe in the name of COVID19 virus, education froze for a moment. Even the start of school year was moved to a later date to give priority to public health. But no virus can stop the need for knowledge. The Department of Education initiated alternative delivery modality to effectively bring education to the learner’s doorsteps, and this again entails teamwork. The endeavor had proven difficult to implement at first, but because communities worked alongside with the schools and educators, everything was achieved successfully, kudos to parents helping the teachers in module distribution and the community stakeholders who actively participated in the school’s activities.

As a result, school year 2020-2021 had taken off despite the risk of COVID 19 virus. It only proves that no pandemic can hinder the attainment of education.

This is evident in our school, Masbate National Comprehensive High School which took even greater lengths to ensure that education is served while observing precautionary measures against the spread of the virus. It was proven in the conduct of online enrolment with the technical help from our IT trained teachers who designed computer programs that facilitated the filling of enrolment forms that can be accessed by parents even through the popular social media, Facebook. Parents who experienced the contactless procedure of enrolling their children in MNCHS, helped spread the news, thereby contributing to the surge of our online enrolment. Subsequently, drop boxes were provided in a strategic place in the school for the submission of filled-up enrolment forms to prevent personal contact with the school staff and the spread of the virus.

MNCHS also conducted face-to-face orientation to parents of the enrollees and because of the strong bond we have established with them, we have not encountered resistance in having them abide with the IATF health protocols of maintaining social distancing, wearing of face mask and shields and the temperature check before entering venue. Alcohol and handwashing area nearby were provided also by the school.

These are only a portion of admirable acts of kindness and selflessness from people who still believe that education must not be stopped by a mere virus.

The world may have changed drastically…everything suddenly turned into a catastrophe upon the breakout of COVID19. But nothing scares a Filipino who believes in the power of education and the greatness it creates. So, despite the risk, people still work hand in hand and defeat this formidable foe, the COVID 19 virus which still hounds us.

There is no assurance as to when this pandemic will end even with the on-going vaccination program.

What is more important is the knowledge that everyone is putting an effort- parents, stakeholders and the community as a whole. A formidable bridge was formed between us, a tie that will never break. Holding on to our faith and by God’s grace, we can overcome obstacles in educating our learners at MNCHS.