Philippine business leaders' wives reach for a goal

MANILA, Philippines - When Ramon del Rosario tapped women to help get a man-size project off the ground, he was pleasantly surprised. The Phinma president, who also sits as chairman of Philippine Business for Education, had been meeting with some of the country’s private sector leaders on concerns over low public school standards. Besides contributing considerable resources, their best efforts to initiate actions for education reforms did not move from the boardrooms after the meetings. Realizing the demands of occupation were not reason enough to keep them from implementing good intentions, he turned to the wives of the board members.

“The first time I invited them to a meeting, the attendance was almost complete except for one who was abroad,” he laughed. After making a presentation describing the situation in the country, he asked what they could do to generate more awareness and participation in uplifting the condition of educators. Before the meeting was over, the ladies had a plan of action.”

Best and Brightest

Marivic del Rosario, by virtue of everyone declining the chairmanship of the special project committee, accepted hesitantly albeit graciously, counting on support from the others. “They are gifted and competent women who, in spite of their busy schedules were willing to make time to help,” she said. “Between their trips abroad, work schedules and responsibilities as wives and mothers, they committed to put in time and energy to get the project going.”

The idea was to approach different companies and private individuals to sponsor the college education of a future educator. This was PBED’s 1000 Teacher Program, which aimed to enjoin the best and brightest high school students towards a career in education and graduate 1,000 teachers after four years who will join the public school system. “People want to do good,” Lifestyle Asia editor in chief Anna Sobrepeña said. “Sometimes we just need to point them in a direction.” While acknowledging that several of those they were approaching were already contributing to various causes, they remain optimistic about the prospects. “Not all of us can build roads, bridges or hospitals,” Marivic adds. “But we can all do something in big or small ways.”

Building Blocks

The women quickly went to work, tapping into their network and enlisting like-minded citizens who saw the far-reaching effects of the project. “One of the resounding problems in the system is the lack of quality teachers,” Ramon said. “They have inadequate pay, training and preparation. As a result, the children get less than what they are entitled to and many are unable to read or write at their grade level.”  

The 1000 Teachers Program addresses this problem of teacher quality through a scholarship supported with a stipend. Beneficiaries are selected, based on a competitive examination administered by the Center for Educational Measurement in Teaching Education Institution partners. The scholars will be required to maintain a grade point average equivalent of B and have no failing grade. Upon passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), they join the DepEd division in their province of origin for five years.

Currently, there are 105 scholars, 21 partner schools and 13 sponsors. The women’s project is an initiative aimed to realize the target number of 1,000 educators who would teach English, Math and Science specifically in public schools.

“Ultimately, better-educated graduates contribute to nation building. They increase the possibilities for the growth and development of industry, the economy and quality of life,” Vicky Cuisia says. What initially began as an enlistment into their husbands’ advocacy became something they owned. Besides promoting a teaching career, it was also an opportunity to uplift the image of the teachers, which had been blighted by the deteriorating quality of education.

Indelible Marks

“Think of the best teacher you have had and imagine filling our classrooms with more of them,” Anna said. It was a goal shared by the women volunteers who recalled professors that had passed on more than academic lessons. “Professor Escaler taught business and business ethics,” someone shared. “It was a long time ago but because it was ethics, he was teaching us how we should manage business. Business is not just profit but also to give back.”

“Bro. Gus Bocer from La Salle gave himself to uplifting younger people, especially the poor ones in Bacolod,” Marivic said. “He gathered street children, put up a house for them and had a special school there. When they graduated, they did something good afterwards. Some of them came from jail.”

Ina Ayala underscored the importance of teachers. “They are the first outsiders parents entrust their children to. They come into children’s lives when minds are expanding and being formed. They affect lives and futures. Good teachers help to mold the good citizens of tomorrow.”

“This was an opportunity to help,” Sally Navarro said. “We shouldn’t get tired of doing what we can. When I was asked, I immediately agreed.”

Currently, the program has 105 scholars, 21 partner schools and 13 sponsors. PBED is currently pursuing more scholars. A total of P100 million for monthly allowances and semestral book allowance will be required for 1,000 students during the four years. Since the program began last year, P20 million from corporate partners for 200 scholars has been raised. The women are hoping to generate more funding through different activities calendared over the coming months. “Education is everybody’s business,” Marivic says, echoing the tagline of the business organization. “We do what we can and believe that every effort counts.”