Smart helps reduce RP elementary dropout rate

Smart helps reduce RP elementary dropout rate  
Cebu Daily News
September 9, 2010

THE Smart telecommunications company is supporting the efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd) to reduce the dropout rate in elementary levels in the country.

Data gathered by the National Statistical Coordination Board showed that the dropout rate had increased from 8.6 percent in 2006 to nine percent in 2007.

To address the problem, Smart launched the CommuniTeach Program in September 2009 to help solve the rising dropout rates and help improve learning among the elementary school children, particularly those in public schools. The program actively involves communities in the mentoring of their children.

The program also assists in other areas like funding, donation of school supplies, cleaning of classrooms and cooking and serving snacks for the student beneficiaries.

Aside from DepEd, the program also involves local government units, private businesses, the local colleges or universities, parents of the student beneficiaries and local schoolteachers.

After-school learning sessions are held every Saturday, for an entire school year, for 20 pupils from Grades 1 to 3 identified to be the lowest performers in their respective batches.

CommuniTeach has been piloted in 12 sites nationwide. These include the National Capital Region, Pampanga, Bataan, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Bohol, Cebu, General Santos City, Digos City, Saranggani, Naga City and Baguio City.

It is expected to go full swing this month with the support of program partners Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Silid Aralan Inc. PBSP will help in the program implementation, while SAI will provide the learning technology.