The spirit of volunteerism in the community comes alive with the presence of SGCs.  Since it is composed of representatives of different sectors in the community, beyond parents and teachers, each one connects to the other, the PTAs and the SGCs, the barangay council, the alumni, the youth sector, religious-oriented groups, etc. Ultimately, forces and efforts gather together to produce a sum greater than its parts.  This is the cutting edge of Synergeia’s approach to education reform.

Volunteerism is a hallmark of the School Governing Council governance structure.  As expressed by one active SGC member: “Volunteering connects me to others.  It is good for my mind and body.  It also helps me build upon skills I already have and use these to benefit the greater community.  As a volunteer, I derive great pleasure in helping others but they also help me to
become a better person.”

A chairperson of an SGC remarked that she did not realize the enormous responsibilities placed on schools but now she understands why Republic Act 9155, Governance of Basic Education Act, provides among others, for the parents and the community to be actively involved in the education of our children.

In one school, the young people who are in high school and college volunteer on weekends and read to the children.  In another school, SGC officers conduct a reading activity for slow and non-readers during lunch break for 30 minutes. The officers also partner with the school teachers in managing a milk and biscuits feeding activity supported by an individual donor.

We look forward with robust optimism that the SGCs supported through the years will continue to play a vital role in partnering with our schools to further enhance the quality of public education.  Through SGCs, may every child be given the chance to develop the love of learning in a safe and secure environment, and be guided and molded by competent and caring teachers and the wider school community towards a holistic child development.

Two of the 301 functional SGCs across the country:  the SGC of Jandig ES and the SGC of Sta. Cruz ES, both of Maribojoc, Bohol. 

We are pleased to have Seaoil Philippines as our second partner supporting the Seal of Good Education Governance this year.  It will provide P100,000 worth of gasoline card to each of the 17 winning LGUs.  During the awarding ceremony last September 6, 2018, Mr. Mark Yu, President of Seaoil Foundation and President of Retail of Seaoil Philippines gave a very inspiring message to the SGEG winners and all the participants of the 12^th National Education Summit.

He began with a short personal story of his early childhood spent in a small house in Pasay City.  His father was once a jeepney driver and his mother a sidewalk vendor.  His father went on to become a collector for a gasoline station and was able to borrow money to start SEAOIL.

Against the backdrop of success, his parents constantly engrained in them the value of hard work and the importance of stewardship.   Believing that “we are merely stewards of the resources we have been given” has been the mind-set that has anchored the core values of SEAOIL towards integrity, accountability, making things better, and customer focused.

Mr. Yu said SEAOIL wants to engage with local government leaders to help realize the vision of SEAOIL Foundation to develop hunger-free communities through enhanced leadership, good agriculture governance, and active community participation by year 2022.  Over the years, they have evolved from merely providing donations to journeying with local leaders and communities in improving services that address poverty.   Their flagship program is the Agriculture Enterprise Leadership in Governance Program.   In partnership with the League of Agricultural Municipality and Cities (LOAMC), they conducted several workshops to help improve the lives of farmers all over the country.  In its first cohort of 7 LGUs, they piloted 34 farms in selected communities and reached 93% hunger free status with 80% diversity in crops among the participating families and communities.

However,  SEAOIL understands that there must be a holistic approach in engaging local communities.  “As we expand SEAOIL in the different areas in the country, we hope to deploy a long-term presence in these areas.  We hope to be able to measure our presence not only in the depots we build but by how we partner with the local leaders and communities in addressing complex developmental issues.”   Addressing hunger and food security is only one aspect of alleviating poverty.  Mr. Yu said that Seaoil has started collaborating with foundations that focus on health and education like Synergeia Foundation.  “ SEAOIL Foundation is one with Synergeia Foundation in working with local government leaders to improve basic education.   Ma’am Nene Guevara has provided great insight towards how we can be effective in sustainably scaling our efforts.  We hope to be able to jointly engage local governments in addressing both their education and food security needs.”

Mr. Yu closed his speech with a promise.  He said that when his father was a young boy, he would be asked to stand outside the classroom because the family did not have enough money to pay for his tuition.  His father promised that his children would not experience such humiliation and travesty.  “We are extending this promise, little by little, to those who will benefit from our engagement with Synergeia Foundation.”

We are happy and grateful because of Mr. Mark Yu’s promise!

In his message during the 12^th National Education Summit, US Charge d’Affairs Michael Klecheski acknowledged the shared work to strengthen education governance in the Philippines.  “The United States Agency for International Development, commonly known as USAID, has been working in the Philippines for over 50 years now.  The US Government believes that education is crucial for development – both as  individuals and for the country as a whole.  Research demonstrates that education raises individual incomes and, in an enabling environment, can contribute to broad-based and inclusive economic growth.”

Charge d’Affairs Klecheski proceeded to mention that since 2013, USAID has been proud to partner with  Synergeia Foundation to implement Education Governance Effectiveness or EdGE.  “Guided by the proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child,” EdGE strengthens community participation in education.  EdGE mentors representatives from local governments; school division superintendents and supervisors; members of local school boards; and school heads to effectively plan, manage, and evaluate education programs.”

“Through this partnership, in collaboration with the Philippine Government, we have trained more than 10,400 administrators and officials in 91 cities and municipalities.    As a result, there are now nearly 1,400 active local school boards and school governing councils.  These school boards and councils have led to nearly 3,000 schools conducting remedial reading programs with 300,000 participants.  And  we are proud that today, almost 78 percent of these learners can now fluently read by the time they finish grade two.”

“xxxToday, five years later, we celebrate your successes.”

Mr. Klecheski stated that early-grade literacy is the foundation for future learning and this foundation also requires strong community engagement, accountability and transparency in education.  “Good education governance contributes to better literacy by ensuring that local governments use public education funds effectively and transparently, and that these funds are aligned with identified education needs.  With more efficient spending, barangays and school boards are able to purchase teaching and learning materials and organize after-school remedial reading programs.  Good education governance involves the collective participation of all stakeholders and partnerships with national, regional and local governments, civil society and the private sector.”

Mr. Klecheski also congratulated the winners of the Seal of Good Education Governance and the winners of the Jesse Robredo Excellence Award.  “We hope that this seal becomes both a challenge and an inspiration for local governments to continue championing good education governance.  I am honored to witness your commitment and I celebrate our partnership to improve basic education in the Philippines, for a more stable and prosperous Philippines.”