Friday, October 10, 2008 Antalan: Hungry for books By Roger P. Antalan Dateline IgaCoS
THE event was not really like waiting for the distribution of needed but cheap rice. But there was the similar eagerness and patience among the recipients.
All were properly seated inside the cultural gym of the city while listening to the speeches, and watching the selected schools' rondalla and folkdances. All in the audience were there because they were hungry for books.
Last Tuesday nine thousand children's books, including secondary and college reference materials were distributed to both public and private schools in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).
A total of 125 pre-school, elementary and secondary schools, 59 day care centers and a few NGOs benefited from the donation of books.
The donation of books was made possible through Asia Foundation with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The City Mayor, Aniano P. Antalan, profusely thanked the donors; the Deped Superintendent of Samal District, Mr. Ricolito delos Reyes was equally thrilled. Mr. Jon Lindborg, USAID Mission Director in the Philippines, cited the long tradition of cooperation among Americans and Filipinos in ensuring that children and young scholars have access to education.
Dr. Steven Rood, of Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program acknowledged the unrelenting support of the City of IGaCoS for encouraging activities that promote education and literacy. He also cited Aboitiz 2go for its help in shipping the donated books, the American Publishers for their donations of brand new books and the USAID for generously supporting Books for Asia?s efforts for foster education throughout Mindanao.
Books for Asia is The Asia Foundation's longest running program (since 1954) and regularly distributes books and reading materials for all educational levels in over 15 countries. The Philippines alone has been a recipient of 13 million books and journals to public and private institution across the country. The donations are made more significant in areas where the resources for instruction and facilities are scarce.
The eagerness of the recipients to receive the books is very palpable. The barangay captains and the day care center teachers came in full force. They were a bit disappointed when they got only one set for each barangay of story telling books, books on shape and figures, and a guide book on drawing. They would have wanted books for every young kid in the barangay.
Strictly speaking, the Day Care Centers which is under the supervision of the DSWD, are only for 4 to 5 year olds, for socialization and orientation. If the barangay does not have a pre-school system under the Deped, the children of that barangay will have a hard time entering grade 1. Without a pre-school, the grade 1 pupil will have to undergo a six-week Early Childhood Training Program to catch up with the others who went through kindergarten.
One Day Care teacher, however, was elated just the same: "At least I have a brand new set of books to guide me. I just have to share it with all the little kids."
The elementary and high school teachers were more happy and excited, getting a few boxes of books. The donation fits with Deped's ECARP (Every Child a Reader Program). This program is a direct response to the finding that the poor performance of students, as measured by the National Achievement Test for Grade 6 and 4th year high school, was mainly due to poor reading and comprehension skills. ECARP aims to make every child an effective reader by Grade 3.
A number of programs for English proficiency are also in place. Donations of text books and reading materials for teachers and pupils are most welcome.
Another recipient of a few boxes of books was the Council of Women. This NGO is planning to build a little library of their own.
For women who have time to spare, to enjoy and relax by reading a book, to improve on their English, and their home industry skills by reading instruction materials at the library. They also plan to hold story telling reading sessions for the children.
Thomas Carlyle once said: "Of the things which man can do or make here below, by far the most remembered, wonderful, and worthy are the things we call books."
In conclusion, let's go back to where we started, the mention of rice distribution. Nine thousand books (9,000) distributed to so many recipients is perhaps the same as allowing only 1 or 2 kilos per purchase per person. Like the need for rice, perhaps even more, the need and hunger for books will surely continue.
