The global crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the education system in virtual setups where educational activities such as brigada eskwela has been put on hold for the past two years. Public school facilities became isolation centers where visitations are impermissible and business transactions are minimally limited to food accessibility.
The situation of the education system in the Philippines is a challenge during the height of the pandemic. Students shifted to major adjustments where the learning environment is still in the process of adaptation. As a result, learning outcomes post a challenge to both learners and teachers.
As the Department of Education (DepEd) publicly announced the opening of physical classes in August 2022, excitement was drawn from teachers and learners and the spirit of volunteerism once again brought back to life. However, this also calls for enormous attention in seeking to improve and develop school facilities as preparation in providing quality education and boosting learning outcomes of the students.
As a response to this inquiry, Tagum Cooperative voluntarily donated cash donations to identified Dep-Ed Divisions (Tagum City Division, Davao Del Norte Division, and Davao De Oro Division) in going forth and joining the activity towards polarizing the education standards in the adjacent regions
In the recently conducted Brigada Eskwela of the Division of Davao De Oro, Tagum Cooperative spearheaded by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors Janet T. Matuguinas, CPA, DBA and the Chief Executive Officer Ms. Juris D. Perez, CPA, MBA donated ₱100,000 last August 08, 2022 at Cogonon Integrated School in New Bataan. Moreover, Tagum Cooperative Nabunturan Branch will also be donating ₱100,000 in the form of item donations to the identified schools of the division.
According to Dir. Matuguinas, education for youth is one of the primary concerns of the government. She further explained that education requires material resources such as money and time. She also emphasized that the government has fund allotment for education. However, due to the increasing needs in various concerns such in health, infrastructures and other projects, appropriation for education is not enough to address all the school’s concerns. “Cooperative shall serve the community, and for us to be able to help the community, it is a mandate of our cooperative law to allocate 3% of the total net surplus in the community development fund” she said.
Undeniably, the economic and social disruption of the Covid-19 Pandemic has led to dramatic fall in the education system. While physical classes may mean promising learning outcomes, material requirements are deemed necessary. Tagum Cooperative, encapsulated with cooperative principles, is always immediate in responding to the needs of the community and thereby, providing the integral root material in going forward for the development.