03 February 2012
Clockwise: Courtesy call | Discussion with teachers, school head, PTA President, Barangay Kagawads, and District Supervisor | Turn-over of EHCP kits | Interaction with students of Linek Elementary School
On 1 February, kick-start kits for the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) – which include toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap – were turned over to the school head, teachers and students of Linek Elementary School, Maguindanao, by representatives from DepEd-ARMM, Fit for School (FIT), Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), AusAID, and SEAMEO INNOTECH.
The ceremonial turnover also included a toothbrushing and handwashing demonstration by the students. FIT staff and guests were able to discuss program development and practices with the students, teachers and school head, the Parent-Teacher Association President, Barangay Kagawads, and the District Supervisor.
The turnover marked the highlight of a visit to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by FIT’s Directors from 31 January to 2 February 2012 as part of the ongoing support for EHCP implementation in ARMM.
DepEd-ARMM has been actively implementing EHCP in the region since August 2011. The new DepEd-ARMM Secretary Jamar M. Kulayan expressed his enthusiasm and encouragement for the program and revealed plans to further integrate the program into school-based management and linking it to improvements on water and sanitation.
Moreover, FIT officials and party met with ARMM OIC Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman for discussing the Regional Government’s and FIT’s joint advocacy for improving sanitation, health, and hygiene in schools through the EHCP. During the meeting, the Governor also confirmed the Regional Government’s commitment to the Memorandum of Agreement on EHCP in ARMM signed last August 18, 2011 with DepEd-ARMM and FIT.
Handwashing demonstration by students of Linek Elementary School
During the visit, FIT was joined by representatives of GIZ and SEAMEO INNOTECH, the Center for Educational Innovation and Technology of the South East Asian Minister’s of Education Organization.