Leyte school to curb dropout through bicycle

SANTA FE, Leyte, Nov. 27  -- Giving out bicycles is being eyed to control the dropout crisis in one of the secondary schools in this sleepy town.

The management of Santa Fe National High School confirmed that many students are discouraged to complete secondary education due to difficulty of getting to school.

Maribeth Botor, a teacher and coordinator of “Bisikleta mo Kaagapay sa Pag-aaral Ko” (your bike, my study partner) project said students living five kilometers or more away from the campus are vulnerable to drop out.

“Last year, 44 of our 1,344 students have stopped attending school due to transportation problem. This month alone, four students have stopped coming to school,” Botor said on Monday.

The school official noted that these students are children of farmers, considered as one of the poorest group of workers in Leyte, a predominantly agricultural province in central Philippines.

Sta. Fe is a 5th class town, a home to 20,439 people. The town, with a poverty incidence of 31.4 percent, is about 17 kilometers away from Tacloban City, the regional capital.

Botor said high rate of absences is evident from July to September and January to March of every year. This is the period where students are compelled to help their parents in rice planting and harvesting.

At present, only one student benefitted from the project. The school is still in the process of identifying students at risk of dropping out. Survey and validation by teachers and village officials will be completed next month.

The school management has already received three donated bicycles and expecting more.

“I am calling for people with good hearts to help us in this program by donating bicycles for the benefit of poor students who are determined to finish their studies,” Botor added.

Those interested to contribute to the project are encouraged to contact Santa Fe National High School at ‎09178151866 or ‎09998365766. (RTA/PNA)