TF foundation distributes school items in Tagba-o

The FREEMAN Foundation distributed school supplies and then cooked lunch for 160 pupils of the Tagba-o Elementary School last July 2 as part of the foundation's Balik Eskwela Program.

Balik Eskwela is the foundation's second major project for this year purposely to support the school in its bid to inculcate in pupils the value of education.

Dr. Remedios Bacasmas, foundation administrator, led the volunteer core group in coordination with TF general manager Melandro "Boy" Mendoza, and with the support of Philippine Star Damayan and Sulpicio Lines, in bringing to Tagba-o the donated books, as well as the school supplies and food items.

The items were taken to Tagba-o, located almost four kilometers from the foot of Mount Manunggal in the town of Balamban and 35 kilometers from Cebu City.

The school has eight teachers headed by school principal Reum Sespeñe. Student populace is distributed into 41 pupils for grade one, 22 in grades two and six, 23 pupils in grade 3, 17 pupils in grade four, and 35 pupils in grade five.

In the 2003 National Achievement Test given by the Department of Education, the Tagba-o ranked lowest in standing among 2,203 elementary schools in Central Visayas. That is why, the foundation has chosen the school as the recipient of the Balik Eskwela program to invigorate coordination among teachers and parents in motivating pupils to improve in their academic performances. Former school principal Norma Llaguno has been urging charitable institutions and philanthropists to help the school by donating books and other instructional materials.

A request for help addressed to The FREEMAN was answered with a book drive. TF readers brought to the office crates of Readers Digest and assorted books and other educational reading materials.

Sespeñe, in his speech during the program proper of the Balik Eskwela Fun Day, expressed of the campus' need for a television set as instructional aid. This is the foundation's next challenge that can be best realized through TF readers.

The Balik Eskwela Fun Day culminated with the distribution of school supplies. - Garry B. Lao