Hello my dear San Estebanians and to all the avid visitors of the sanesteban.com.ph. Coming to you once again is what is happening in our town. Classes have started 3 months ago, and I’d like to bring you news on the educational scene of our beloved municipality.

      Our country is presently faced with overwhelming political dilemmas, and I for one believe that the educational sector is one of those greatly affected. Most of our schools in our town are public institutions meaning they are being operated and funded by the national government, but due to the growing demand for education in all parts of the country the Department of Education has to equally divide its available funds to all the schools in the country leaving some with insufficient supplies despite their effort to provide everything that the educational system needs.

      I personally visited the schools of our town and I have interviewed the principals, I’ve known from them that they’re enrollees has increased by almost 10%. When classes start we cannot avoid problems which confronts the whole teaching force of an institution, aside from problems such as misbehaving of students, and irregularities in attendance as mentioned by the Principal of the San Esteban National High School, the administrators has pointed out almost the same problems. First is the limited supply for books, Dr. Winifreda Joaquin, District Supervisor, said that the supposed target of the Department of Education for distribution of books is one for one student but due to the situation books are being distributed at a ratio of 1:2 and in other field of learning even 1:4. The new principal of San Esteban South Central School Mrs. Darwine Eleccion-Almazan is worried because she said not everyone are given equal opportunity to read, especially when the students need to have advance reading exercises, for some parents who are concern with the standing of their children in class sacrifices to Xerox the books, but how about for the parents who have limited financial resources, she added. Second is the deterioration of school building like in Ansad Elementary School 3 classrooms is now idle because they fear that it might collapse anytime, making the school not to have enough rooms. There are also rooms in Apatot Community School that is now being used as stockroom, and the front most building which is found at the right side when entering the school's gate which is the Home Economics building I believe also needs to be rehabilitated. In other schools, the ceilings and wall partitions are already eaten by termites.The Principal of the San Esteban North Central School mentioned that there is a need to repair some parts of roofs in the different buildings, which is now a part of the proposed project of their PTCA Organization. Third is the lacking number of armchairs, but the principals said that some parents are giving their extra time to repair destroyed and unused chairs, and some parents donate chairs to make all the students comfortable as they study. Fourth is the supply for water in the different schools, although they already have their own water systems which are operated by electricity, they said it would be good if they have jetmatics to be assured of water supply even when there is no electricity which is very often in our town.

      The Parent Teacher Community Association (PTCA) is a very vital organization that the schools have. Through these different programs and projects are being conceived and eventually implemented. The PTCA I may say is a back up for they are there to aid in the different projects to improve the schools where their children are studying. The projects that they have greatly influence the student’s ability to learn through increased interest induced by conducive environment.

      San Esteban Academy despite the availability of a public school in our town still had an increase in their enrollment this year, SBM Solomon Benitez the principal of S.E.A. takes it as a challenge to even raise their educational standards for the continuous belief and patronage of their students. The five year development plan of S.E.A. is a program wherein different programs and projects are given priority and implemented one at a time, their project this year is the construction of a school gymnasium to be built in S.E.A.’s annex located just beside the entrance of the Villa Quirino Port. SBM Benitez is welcoming donations from all good hearted San Estebanians who would want to take part on this project.

      Through this article Dr. Winifreda Joaquin would like to thank the donors of the comfort room in the District Office located at the San Esteban south Central School, Mr. Danny Fernando and Mrs. Rachel Ordonez, Dr. Loraine Balmaceda-Lederer are a few to mention, and also would like to appeal to all her friends and relatives including the alumni association of SESCS to help her in the repair of the floor and in the installation of sliding windows and door of the District Office. To the different Alumni Association of the schools in our town, if there is anyway that you could be of help to your alma mater, be it great or small will mean so much to improve the students of our town.

      No matter how great the challenges that confronts the educational sector of our town I firmly believe that the intelligence, experience, creativity, patience, endurance and dedication of our teachers will surely combat all the deficiencies of the department where they belong. May our teachers continue to give their best to their students, you are the key to the bright future of our town and country as well, for without you, no child will learn, you are the unsung heroes of all times. I also would like to address the contributions that the different PTCA organizations are doing, may you continue to share your effort, strength, and blessings to the schools where you are a part of, you just don’t know the importance of your existence at this times. To the District Supervisor and Principals of the different schools, your never ending patience and guidance means a lot, may God continue to give all of you the strength, and intelligence to be able perform the duties and responsibilities that comes with you positions.

      With the collective effort of everyone in the school administration, parents, community and the society as a whole, with the guidance of our leaders in municipal level, San Esteban is promised to have good, independent, self reliant, God fearing, well rounded citizens in the future.