Bikes and boats to get kids to school

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with two non-government organizations for a project that aims to provide boats and bikes to schoolchildren in far-flung areas in the country.

The DepEd, along with the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation and Bikes for the Philippines, launched yesterday the “Pedals and Paddles Project,” which aims to ease the travel time of students through the distribution of boats and bicycles in communities that need them most.

A DepEd study showed that public schoolchildren typically walk or ride anything from buses and tricycles to horses and boats to get to school.

“Traveling to school takes a huge toll on students, not only physically, but also mentally,” Education Sectary Armin Luistro said.

“Missing out on a class can have a huge impact on comprehension and retention, which could affect students’ performance, as well as their attitude towards learning. Reducing travel time will encourage kids to attend and to stay in school and perform better,” he said.

The DepEd chief cited the case of the students of Pangapuyan Elementary School in Talon-Talon, Zamboanga who have to ride a boat for 50 minutes to get to school, while it takes up to two hours on foot for students of Sawmill Elementary School in Masbate to get to school.

DepEd said boats will be distributed to communities while the bikes will be given to Grades 7 to 12 students and will come with an eight-day training module.

Each boat costs P10,000 while each bike costs P2,000.

Donations for boats may be sent to the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Inc., through its Banco de Oro accounts (Peso Acct. 003170-134579 and Dollar Acct. 103170-148588) and online through PayPal.

Meanwhile, donations for bikes may be sent to Bikes for the Philippines Foundation, Inc. through its BDO accounts (Peso Acct. 5420-128374 and Dollar Acct. 10-5420-128803).

For check donations abroad, interested parties can send their donations to Bikes for the Philippines through: Jo Grant, Bikes for the Philippines, Inc., 15 Amber Rd, Westminster, MA 01473.