Valenzuela City Councilor Lorie Natividad-Borja, one of Nanay-Teacher Parenting Camp proponents, said schools with 75 or higher percent of attendance rate will receive new liquid-crystal display or LCD projectors, laptops, and light-emitting diode or LED television.

“’Yung opisina ni (Valenzuela City) Mayor Rex (Gatchalian) ang magbibigay ng incentive,” Natividad-Borja said, noting that schools that will manage to get a perfect attendance will receive additional air conditioning units.

Members of Parent-Teacher Asssociation (PTA) as well as administrators of public school officials in Valenzuela City welcomed the incentive system, which they said motivate more parents to participate in the training camp.

Elizabeth Felismino, president of PTA in Caruhatan East Elementary School (CEES), said lack of budget keeps the parents from supporting the material needs of public elementary schools in Valenzuela City.

But with the rewards laid by the local government, Felismino said the parents need only to attend the Nanay-Teacher Parenting Camp to help improve the facilities of their kid’s school.

“’Yung mga magulang kasi sa Valenzuela City active talaga at gustong tumulong sa mga bata ang kaso kasi medyo hirap pagdating sa pagdo-donate ng mga bagong facilities dahil kapos din sa budget at may mga pamilya rin kami,” Felismino said.

“At least ngayon sa reward na planong ibigay ni Mayor Rex at ni (Valenzuela City) Congressman Win (Gatchalian), kailangan na lang namin umattend at pag-igtingin ang paghihikayat sa iba pang magulang na sumama sa parenting camp,” she added.

Amelia Flores, principal of CEES, also explained that new technology is crucial in facilitating more efficient and modern methods of learning in public elementary schools.

The principal is positive that her school will be able to meet the 100 percent attendance rate in the Nanay-Teacher Camp.

“Globalized at modern na tayo. Dito sa Valenzuela City, hindi na tayo na kokontento sa blackboard at chalk lang. Uso na ngayon sa mga eskwelahan natin ‘yung mga projector at laptop dahil mas efficient at mas klaro para sa mga bata ‘yong mga discussion,” she explained.

“Sa tingin ko kaya ng aking eskwelahan na makamit ang 100 percent dahil naniniwala ako sa mga magulang na walang sawa sa pagsuporta sa kanilang mga anak kahit sila man ay kapos o di kaya’y pagod sa kanilang mga trabaho,” she said. (Tim Alcantara)