Chatto: Development comes with education

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines  — "There could be no development without education," Governor Edgar Chatto said in his speech during the opening of the 2-day First Bohol Education Summit last November 10 at the Cultural Center in this city.

The Summit, carrying the theme "Bohol: Breaking Local and Global Challenges and Blazing Trails in Education," was intended to come up with measures that would address pressing education issues and concerns.

Chatto propounded the important role of education in the development of the province, saying that the fate of school children should not be left solely to school officials because it is everybody's concerns.

The holding of the Summit was proof of a strong public-private partnership between the government and the private sector, including NGOs, in the field of education, he said.

The governor said the provincial government has been providing infrastructure assistance, such as additional school buildings for public schools, and funds for the President Carlos P. Garcia scholarship program to poor but deserving students as well as subsidy fund program to others who may not be able to avail themselves of the scholarship.

DepEd-7 regional director Recaredo Borgonia, for his part, said the Summit was the first to be initiated by a local government unit, and lauded the provincial government for holding the event.

Other speakers were Rosanna Urdaneta, director of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA)-Region 7, Bohol Schools superintendent Lorna Rances, Provincial Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, provincial administrator Alfonso Damalerio III, provincial education consultant Cerina Bolos and former PB member Amalia Tirol.

The participants, grouped according to their respective sectors, underwent brainstorming workshop focusing on education concerns and issues using the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) approach prepared by the facilitators.

On the second and final day yesterday, the groups have mapped out directions for programs and mission of the education sector. (FREEMAN)