THE town of San Manuel became the first local government unit in Pangasinan that received the Seal of Good Education Governance 2020-2021.

The seal was awarded during the 14th Washington Sycip National Education Summit for excelling in the delivery of basic education to their constituents amidst the pandemic.

Mayor Kenneth Marco Perez and his brother Vice Mayor Alain Jerico Perez joined mayors of 27 towns and cities across the country for the distinction of ensuring continuous learning in their communities notwithstanding this global health crisis.

The seal, on its fourth year, is a joint project of the United States Agency for International Development and Synergeia Foundation, in partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications.

Among the criteria used by the two organizations in selecting this year’s “Seal…” awardees include a high cohort-survival rate, ratio of current enrollment compared to the previous academic year, decrease in the number of frustrated and non-readers, a reinvented local school board, and functional school-governing councils.

Mayor Perez said the town’s success in educating their constituents was a combination of several factors and sectors, as well as local government and private organizations’ initiatives.

Among these were the expanded “membership of the Local School Board (LSB) to include all school principals, barangay captains and others so they can understand good quality education to achieve better learning of our youths”.

There was the LSB’s Balligi Effective Assistance Reading program that increased the number of independent readers in the municipality. “Balligi” is an Ilocano word that means success, and “Balligi San Manuel” is the town’s slogan.

Perez said the local government provided Risograph machines to schools so teachers don’t have to spend for the photocopying or reproduction of students’ modules for their online classes.

Despite the scarcity of local funds, they increased the number of their scholars from 80 to 130.

Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials also helped deliver modules of students.

Teachers also visited homes of students that have no Internet connectivity so they can assess the reading/learning progress of their students.

Perez also thanked the Pangasinan State University for its very first operational ICT Konek in the province and for the donation of 10 computer sets while the town’s two-storey, fully furnished building became the newest internet hub for hundreds of San Manuelans.

Private businessmen also contributed to help provide for the needs of teachers and students.

Perez said they proved to their townmates that indeed, despite the pandemic, education remains among their top priorities, adding that “it is the only way out of poverty and to a better future”. (Eva Visperas)

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