Sarangani children learns how to read with QUEST program

*** Editor's Note: TWIST received this article from the Department of Education. Because our hearts are close to children and education, we thought it was a nice little story worth sharing. With little editing, here it is. Enjoy! ***

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In one of the most remote and unvisited barangays in Alabel, Sarangani, only a select few have an idea what life is like beyond the mountains.

Education is quite simply not the top priority. Parents in this barangay, called New Canaan, can only dream that their children graduate from college or at least finish Grade 6.

But for education worker Analie Eday, a fellow lumad, her community deserves more. Every day, teaching the children how to read becomes her first order of the day.


"I am offended at seeing my fellow lumads exploited simply because they do not know how to read and write," said Eday.

Teaching the children became a little easier for Eday in 2009 when the provincial government led by a young Governor Miguel Dominguez started bringing education to them with help from private companies and civil society group.

The provincial government launched an umbrella program called Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST). Developed with technical guidance from Synergeia Foundation, QUEST's reform strategies include increasing awareness of the province's state of education, supporting public school teachers and improving the performance of elementary school pupils.

Although much is yet  to be done, QUEST has managed to tick off some impressive results: 10,000 Grade 1 and 2 pupils benefitted, 28 primary schools opened, 57 primary schools made into complete elementary schools, 33 integrated schools established, workbooks for pupils and manuals for teachers were developed, 11,000 youth returned to school and 50,000 parents were trained to become mentors.

When it comes to reading, there's The Sarangani Big Brother, a summer reading camp for children has become so successful that DepEd is considering to evolve it into a national program.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC is thankful to DepEd education partners. "Investing in education can never go wrong because the positive social impact of its dividends is intangible and incapable of monetary estimation," he said. 

The efforts of QUEST and its education workers translate to the province topping the 2012 National Achievement Test results across  Region 12, from only number 9 in 2007. And official figures state that 8 of 10 Sarangani children now have access to education compared to only 4 before 2007.

QUEST is now replicated in Tampakan, South Cotabato, Koronadal City, Semirara, Antique, Compostela Valley and Palawan.

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