Local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo have been giving more focus to basic education thanks to the province’s partnership with Synergeia Foundation and the community, according to provincial administrator Raul Banias.
“Basic education previously did not get much attention from LGUs but because of Synergeia, we became more appreciative of how you perform in your schools,” Banias told elementary school principals during Synergeia’s USAID-funded school governance workshop under the Education Governance Effectiveness (EdGE) Program on August 27-29, 2014.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias address public elementary school heads during Syenrgeia’s School Governance Workshop under USAID’s EdGE Program
Basic education, which forms the foundation of a child’s learning habits, affects higher level learning outcomes and ultimately, a child’s future. That is why Synergeia’s advocacy revolves around education reform in the elementary level and getting the whole community involved in the process for progressive and sustainable results.
Banias said that partnership with Synergeia motivated Iloilo LGUs to work with school administrators and teachers, and to engage the rest of the community in order to enhance education performance. LGUs will achieve this goal if they can properly identify where to direct their plans and budget. “They’ll enhance performance If they know where to put their money where their mouths are,” Banias said.
School heads from the municipalities of Alimodian, Cabatuan, Guimbal, Leon, Miagao, Mina, Pavia and San Joaquin
The three-day EdGE workshop held in Punta Villa Resort in Iloilo gathered over 200 school heads from the municipalities of Alimodian, Cabatuan, Guimbal, Leon, Miagao, Mina, Pavia and San Joaquin. Apart from P.A. Banias, speakers that provided inspiration and practical insights were Synergeia Trustees former governor Lito Coscolluela, Robert Powers Director Oskar Atendido, former Ateneo University President Fr. Ben Nebres, and Cong. Sherwin Gatchalian.
