WITH just a month away from the start of the school year, teachers at Pooc National High School are hard at work printing out modules and ensuring the seamless transition towards modular learning.

However, with over 1,000 students under their care, printing modules for each student is a gargantuan task. One student requires 30 pages for one subject module good for one week. With a study load of eight subjects and more than a thousand students to cater to, a lot of work goes into printing and reproduction on a weekly basis.

As the school continues with the heavy task of printing and preparing modules for their students, resources grow scarce in the school. One ream of bond paper would not be even enough for a week’s worth of modules for one student.

Despite the limited resources, Pooc National High School finds ways in ensuring the fast and efficient production of modules for their learners. Taping partners in the community proved to be a huge help to the school.

“As the Adapt-a-School Coordinator, I channeled our needs to different stakeholders who can help us. This is not limited to the LGU, but we also tapped the private sector to help in our module reproduction. We established networks and built harmonious relationships with them to ensure accountability with their donations,” shared Teacher Candice Grace Maque.

Teacher Candice worked closely with friends and contacts to help draw in donations for printers and much needed bond paper for printing of modules. With more than 1,000 students to take care of, the school is in constant need of ink, paper, and more printers. The task seems very much like a small printing press.

“The new learning modality adapted by our school brought a lot of challenges in terms of equipment and resources. Since we chose modular learning, we need to reproduce modules for our students the soonest time we can. We are pressed to continue to find means so that no learners will be left behind in this digital divide we are experiencing now,” said Teacher Candice.

As the need for resources remains, Teacher Candice and the rest of the hardworking teachers of Pooc National High School continue to find ways to raise resources and ensure the fast production of subject modules. They are committed in ensuring that every learner under their care receives their subject modules.

“I am inspired that many are actually willing to help. We just have to know how and where to ask for help. There are resources around the community. We just have to know how to tap them,” explained Teacher Candice.

It truly takes a village to raise a child. And with more than 1,000 students to take care of at Pooc National High School, it takes the whole community to help a school and its learners through these extraordinary times. Teacher Candice notes that any kind of help extended to schools really goes a long way. Resources like ink, bond paper, and printers are critical during these times.

While a lot still remains to be done, Teacher Candice says her experience at the RAFI Center for Leaders has inspired her to take on the challenges that lie ahead with an unwavering spirit.

“[MY] KAC experience is a reminder to never stop believing. It has guided me to keep pushing forward even if the end is still unknown,” said Teacher Candice, who goes by the camp name ‘Dean.’ “This pandemic brought a lot of unanticipated events, but it has also taught us to find a gem in times of struggle. It may be difficult, but with perseverance, nothing can stop us,”

As schools across the country are busy preparing for the opening of the school year with modules to print and reproduce, and later distribute to their students, the story of Teacher Candice and the teachers of Pooc National High School, remind us to think of our schools and discover ways of how we can best help and support our local school community.

For the month of September, the RAFI Center for Leaders honors our teachers in celebration of National Teachers’ Month. We recognize the dedication they put into their work in taking care of and teaching our young learners.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edit Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.