When I arrived here in Bago City Elementary School,

there were really problems.

We only had one hand washing facility,
and with over 2,000 students, that’s just not enough.
Faced with that problem, we needed to do something to address it.
We need to do it because,
we need to provide our pupils with a conducive place for them to learn,
and we need to ensure their health also and safety.
After assessing the school,
we found out that we have only 1-star.
Then looking at the checklist,
we recognized what we needed to do.
So we first worked on the easiest,
the ones that we can readily work on.
We tapped the different stakeholders,
to help address our problem.
We tapped our City Government,
especially for the water system
because in the past that was our problem.
For the CRs, the advisers sought the help
of parents and other stakeholders.
We had a fundraising activity during our Elementary Day,
and we were able to raise 1.1 million pesos.
Every year, during Brigada Eskwela
the participation of the stakeholders has been increasing.
In 2017, it went up to 85 percent.
Now, we have 110 percent participation of the volunteers.
They (stakeholders) can see that in our school,
many structures are being put up.
They know that they are a part of these projects.
When you observe what your child is doing
you are motivated.
You realize, “My daughter knows the right thing to do.”
Not all teachers will readily support me.
So I set myself as an example to them.
Some probably did not want to cooperate,
but they still did.
“Let’s just do this,” I tell them.
At first there were about just 80 percent
who have truly embraced the WinS program,
and about 20%, not as much.
But we didn’t stop encouraging everyone,
until such time that 101% of the teachers
in Bago City Elementary are already supportive of the SBM Wins Program.
So you also enjoy that the children are always clean.
They like tooth brushing.
They bring a hygiene kit with them.
Each one of them has a complete hygiene kit – cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste.
I enjoy being a coordinator.
What you teach them, they become proficient with.
They will eventually embrace these programs that we deliver.
There are times that many people,
would come here to conduct bench marking.
They (teachers) feel happy about that.
They are happy that the school is appreciated.
“Your school is beautiful.
You’re projects are really good.”
The teachers are motivated with this.
They become inspired from what others say.
So we work hard, we strive hard...
This time we have the Three Stars now.
We achieve the Three Stars.
We need to sustain this.
I assign different tasks to different teachers,
so that if ever I’m assigned to another school,
they will already know what to do.
They are already empowered.
They (students) need to love the WinS Program.
The children always need to be informed that even if the principal has left and
whoever,
the principal may be or whoever says so
WinS should be continued because this is for our own health.
We have established policies and routines.
Of course, we included that in the crafting of our SIP and AIP.
We have the monthly monitoring and evaluation,
of the different programs about WinS.
Engaging the stakeholders should be continued.
We should show the stakeholders that
there is return of investment in our school.
If you have commitment and dedication,
I’m sure you will achieve it.
No matter how big (the task is), if you believe in yourself.
in your fellow teachers,
and in your stakeholders,
you can make it happen.