Cadiz mayor bares scholarship for teachers, gov’t employees pursuing masters degree; To continue supporting public schools, students

The implementation of a program that will provide scholarships for teachers and government employees in Cadiz City who want to pursue masters degree will soon be realized, while the city’s support to schools and schoolchildren will be sustained.

These were revealed to newsmen Friday afternoon by Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, who said the implementation of Project Free will happen soon with his request to the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the matter he already submitted Tuesday.

Project Free, he said, is a program that will provide scholarship grants to teachers as well as government employees who will pursue masteral courses.

Mayor Escalante said that while the Negros Occidental Provincial Government is already providing support for teachers pursuing masteral courses, he said he wanted to implement similar program for teachers and government workers in Cadiz.

“Many would like to avail of this program but the province cannot accommodate all. Initially we might be able to accommodate some 200 teachers and government workers who will study either at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) in our city, or at NONESCOST in nearby Sagay City. I wanted this to also include government employees … to also give them opportunities for their own growth,” he said.

No Shortage

Escalante, in revealing the city’s support to schools and students, said there is no shortage of teachers in Cadiz. “PNU alone produces about 150 teachers a year. In fact we have lots of city employees who are education graduates,” he said.

He also said there are seven elementary and high schools in Cadiz, with more or less 45,000 students that the city also supports.

“We have Project PAK in the elementary schools which involves feeding during face to face classes. This involves serving of food and giving of other support to school children in the morning. We have noted that many school kids report to school although they have not taken breakfast,” he said.

When the pandemic prevented face to face classes, Mayor Escalante said they release their support every time the students submit their modules in school. “Whether they have completed their tasks and assignments or not, they will still be encouraged to submit their modules because they will also get their support from the city government,” he added.* (Arman P. Toga)