May 3^rd, 2017 marked the day Synergeia, in partnership with SMART/PLDT, launched the Seal of Good Education Governance, which is awarded to outstanding Local Government Units (LGUs) which have measured up in terms of leadership in the implementation and funding of education programs through their Local School Boards (LSBs).

The Seal highlights the importance of: 1) the use of metrics in measuring performance; 2) transparency as it empowers communities; 3) accountability for performance of both local government and school officials;  4)  incentive for communities that make education work; and 5) setting benchmark for excellence in education governance.Winning LGUs each received technology incentive packages worth up to P1.5 million from SMART/PLDT.

On September 29, 2017, during Synergeia’s 11^th National Education Summit, a total of 24 LGUs from across the nation were awarded the seal for their upstanding commitment to education within their communities. From Luzon, there were eight awardees: Valenzuela City (NCR), Bacnotan (La Union), Santol (La Union), Tuba (Benguet), Solano (Nueva Vizcaya), Villaverde (Nueva Vizcaya), Diadi (Nueva Vizcaya), and Diffun (Quirino). Synergeia’s partner LGUs in Visayas earned the most awards with 11 awardees: Balamban (Cebu), Dalaguete (Cebu), Argao (Cebu), Ivisan (Capiz), Dao (Capiz), Lambunao (Iloilo), Cabatuan (Iloilo), Miagao (Iloilo), Alimodian (Iloilo), Concepcion (Iloilo), and Mina (Iloilo). In Mindanao, five LGUs received the seal: Cagayan de Oro (Misamis Oriental), Bongao (Tawi-Tawi), Simunul (Tawi-Tawi), Upi (Maguindanao), and Datu Paglas (Maguindanao).

All these LGUs have significantly increased their Cohort Survival Rate, NAT scores, while also lowering numbers of frustrated readers or nonreaders. Santol, Diffun, Tuba, Ivisan, and Dalaguete are among the municipalities whose Cohort Survival Rate increased significantly with Santol’s (52% to 81%) and Dalaguete’s (73% to 103%) scores having a 29% and 30% change respectively. As for NAT scores, Villaverde currently holds the highest NAT score with an average of 89.61 points as of 2017, coming from 77.98 points in SY 2014.

Each municipality had its own story to share and its best practices that led them to garner this award. For example, the mayor of Bacnotan in La Union is credited as reading mayor who prioritizes literacy and has placed literacy at the forefront of their advocacies. Among the initiatives taken are a mobile library/reading caravan that visits the different areas of the municipality on weekends. LGUs such as Simunul, Alimodian, and Concepcion are unique in that they must also overcome the physical obstacles that could hinder their education. Despite how remote these places are, their LGUs still succeed giving quality education to their students. For many other municipalities, the simple act of being a more hands-on local chief executive can do wonders for the morale of a community.

The winners were all smiles at the event after having seen how their hard work in the field of education was recognized and afterward many of our partner municipalities said that they would aim for higher goals.

By: Carmela Kris Armilla, Program Officer, Synergeia Foundation

“Before I retire, I will contribute what I can to make our SGC functional and active,” declared Juan Rivera Jr. with resolve after attending the SGC Workshop. Mr. Rivera is the 61-
year-old principal of Apo Elementary School in Argao. With four years left in his term, Principal Rivera is inspired to exhaust all means to improve the school he serves. He sees the SGC’s role
in making this possible.

He was one of around 170 School Governing Council (SGC) members from Argao, San Fernando and Santander who attended the two-day workshop “We Can Work It Out: Making Our SGCs Work” held at Montebello Hotel, Cebu City last July 25-26, 2017.

Having undergone Level 1 training, our SGCs this time were given Level 2 training “with a little bit of 3.” The “little bit” part aimed to introduce some Level 3 modules to our participants.

The first plenary focused on a review of the role of the SGC, its responsibilities, how it is formed and why it is different from the Parents-Teachers Association. When the participants
were divided into clusters, they went through an appreciative inquiry exercise where they shared stories behind the performance of their students in terms of their NAT scores and the cohort
survival rates. Realizing where the students stand had set the tone for the SGCs to be introspective on how they can play more effective roles in improving basic education.

Their first group activity was solving a puzzle. It was meant to test how well they work with others. After the group activity, one participant realized the essence of “making collaborative ideas.” Another said that when faced with limited resources, thinking “outside the  box” was key. Gov. Josie dela Cruz, former Governor of Bulacan and Synergeia mentor, emphasized the importance of inclusivity when working in the SGC, stating that exclusivity might limit opportunities for development.

SGC members are shown trying to solve the puzzle.

Using a “satisfaction meter,” the SGCs then went on to assess their performance on five aspects – their ability to hold regular meetings and set agenda, election of officers, agreeing on by-laws, engagement of the community and formulation of school policies. Through role-plays and cluster discussions, the participants learned more about project planning, translating goals into tasks, financing and conflict resolution. One policy that they think should be established is the roles of parents and the school principal and teachers in the education of the children. They agree on the important role of parents because they are the teachers of students at home.

Synergeia Mentor Gov. Josie facilitates the discussion on activities and tasks to implement the goals of the SGC.

Creative fund-raising activities for the SGC were also discussed. Gov. Josie shared a snippet of wisdom – that “all funding begin with a good project.” Some barangays shared that activities such as Gulayan sa Paaralan, Prince and Princess contest, and sewing projects have financially supported their respective schools and SGCs.

The concepts of input, output and outcomes, the steps in designing process flows, and action planning and evaluation were introduced to the participants. These are the Level 3 modules that have been included in this workshop. The participants learned new tools such as the process flow and action plan matrix that will help them identify tasks more systematically and in specific terms including setting deadlines to accomplish these tasks. They also learned about looking beyond outputs and seeing that outcomes of their projects are what impact the lives of students and the community as a whole.

At the end of the workshop, our SGC participants agreed that the collaboration of parents, school and barangay leaders is the linchpin towards a holistic and secure quality education for students in their respective communities. They gave their thanks and shared the common goal they wish to accomplish. “Our goal is to make our SGCs functional in their respective areas,” shared Ms. Rosalina M. Fuentes, principal of Balasa Elementary School.

On July 11, 2017, the City of San Juan turned over to Synergeia Foundation close to P500,000 worth of relief goods for the residents of Marawi City.

Marawi City is one of Synergeia’s project sites, and San Juan officials hope to tap the foundation’s existing network there for the efficient delivery of the assistance package. 2GO
Express, Inc. has also generously volunteered to be the official courier for the relief goods.

The turnover ceremony was held at Pinaglabanan Elementary School, and was attended by
San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Admin and Training Officer Bryant Wong, DepEd Schools District Superintendent (OIC) Dr. Joel T.
Torrecampo, Synergeia Mentor and Former Customs Commissioner John Phillip “Sunny” Sevilla, and Synergeia Operations Officer Annie de Leon, among other guests.

IT STARTED WITH A FACEBOOK POST

Wong, who is a student of Synergeia CEO and President Dr. Milwida Guevara at the Ateneo School of Government, posted on Facebook asking San Juan City residents to donate to the displaced families in Marawi City.

“I’ve been looking for a foundation to partner with, one which can ensure that the goods will actually reach Marawi. From Dr. Guevara’s stories of their activities in Marawi, I really saw her efforts and desire to help there, which is why we chose to partner with Synergeia,” Wong said.

Dr. Torrecampo, a fellow public servant in San Juan City, saw the post on his timeline and contacted Wong, pledging his support for the initiative. He issued a memorandum to all schools in the city, asking them to organize donation drives.

The effort was spearheaded by school principals both from public and private schools, who cascaded the call to students and their parents. Wong said that the response from the community was overwhelming, and before long donations of canned goods, diapers, toiletries, and other goods started pouring in. “People here in San Juan City really have the heart to help. And I think that has a lot to do with the leadership of the mayor. I guess the desire to help really is contagious,” he adds.

SCHOOLS HELPING SCHOOLS, CITIES HELPING CITIES

Thirty-three displaced students from Marawi are currently enrolled in San Juan City public schools, and these students also received special relief packages during the turnover ceremony.

Remarking on the all-out support that San Juan City’s schools have extended to Marawi, Dr. Torrecampo said: “There are so many things we can do; if one person can do something to help,
how much more can we achieve if there is a collective effort?”

The city government also pledged a counterpart donation of P150,000 in addition to the relief goods already collected. “They are our brothers and I know their plight. Our Maranao constituents have family there, so their hurt is also my hurt. And I am very grateful to our Muslim brothers here because without them, San Juan City won’t be as prosperous as it is,” said Mayor Gomez.

SPARKS OF HOPE

Since partnering with Synergeia Foundation three years ago, Marawi City has seen its National Achievement Test (NAT) scores increase from 54% to 62%—two points above the national
average. While the events in Marawi are a huge setback to this momentum, Dr. Guevara remains confident that the city will once again find its footing with the help of concerns citizens.

“In our capacity-building workshops, we have an exercise that teaches participants that no single person or community holds all the pieces needed to solve educational challenges. This
generous donation from San Juan City proves that no matter who—or where—you may be, you can help make education work in our country. On behalf of Synergeia, I offer my heartfelt
gratitude to Mayor Gomez, Bryant Wong, Dr. Torrecampo, and all the principals, teachers, parents, and students who contributed to this relief effort.”

Localities, companies, and individuals who wish to help the people of Marawi City may course their donations through Synergeia Foundation. For more information, you may call (02) 376-
1122 / (02) 433-0112 and look for Ms. Annie de Leon.