MANY of us start the school year with excitement and eagerness to learn, but for some reason, the feeling wanes as the months pass. What could be the reason for this loss of interest in our studies? The reason varies.
“Sa una, di jud ko kasabot kay saba man kaayo akong mga klasmeyt. Wala ko’y masabtan, mao matulog na lang ko kay wa man pod ko’y makat-onan (Back then, I really couldn’t absorb the lessons because my classmates were so noisy. Since I won’t understand the lessons anyway, I just sleep in class),” says James Mara, a Grade 9 student of Barrio Luz National High School in Cebu City.
James never looked forward to going to school before. According to a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies or PIDS, there is now an alarming 57-percent dropout rate among junior public high school students, a large percentage of which is due to lack of motivation. Additionally, the student faces many distractions that may deter his focus such as an overcrowded classroom.
But upon joining the KA•T•ON Barangay Junior Public High School Tutorial Program with Entrepreneurship Exposure, James claims to have been changed by the program.
James is one of the 40 beneficiaries of the KA•T•ON Barangay Junior Public High School Tutorial Program with Entrepreneurship Exposure in Barangay Luz. He has been with KA•T•ON ever since its first cycle in 2015.
The KA•T•ON Barangay Junior Public High School Tutorial Program with Entrepreneurship Exposure aims to arrest the alarming dropout rate nationwide by motivating public high school students to #stayinschool.
The program is powered by Barangay IMPACT Visayas Management. Annually, the program covers four regular cycles and one six-week summer cycle.
“My knowledge as well as my attitude improved. Now, I am more active in class. Though some of my classmates are noisy, I still try hard to understand the lesson,” shares James, attributing his newfound motivation mostly to the program.
James adds that his developed confidence comes from knowing that he can easily run to KA•T•ON to help him understand his lessons and to help him with his assignments through the homework assistance session every Wednesday and the main tutorial session every Saturday.
When asked about his ambition, James responds “All I really want is to get a decent job someday. Through KA•T•ON, I am more confident that I can do it!”
Barangay IMPACT Visayas Management believes that creating a positive ripple effect in society can only be achieved when everyone works together. If you share the same vision of arresting the 57-percent dropout rate among junior public high school students, find out more at https://www.facebook.com/katonprogram/ or email brgy.impact@gmail.com. / (With PR)