depressing

i've been to apo island recently. the place is one true sanctuary to see dynamic, living and breathing marine ecosystem. best for divers and would-be-divers, but also very good for snorkelers like me because vast & beautiful coral reefs are already found in near shallow waters. but what really struck our travel group was the school right at the island's famed marine sanctuary. a makeshift high school campus, it actually houses 300 students within its dilapidated wooden walls. there are only 3 or 4 teachers sharing the entire teaching load. locals said that it was only a temporary shelter for students from 1st to 3rd year, since their main campus is being repaired, bigger school buildings are also being constructed. but we also found out that this repair and construction has been going on for nearly 3 years now! worse, not all these students might be accepted in the island's main campus once they finish their 3rd year, since it can only accommodate a certain number of students. oh my... it's really not unimaginable why education in our country quickly deteriorated. the island-dwelling poor folks become helpless victims of this incessant and deliberate inattention.

agnes has provided a more detailed description below, with my pics in it.

Diving Paradise has Depressing High School

Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental – Apo Island is among the top 10 dive sites in the world. It has a community-based marine sanctuary, a protected marine reserve endowed with more than 650 documented fish species and 400 kinds of corals.

See its magnificent rock formations and awesome skyline.

Its underwater paradise, however, contrasts sharply with its hellish high school. Located less than 5-meters from the azure waters (please see above photo to your right), the school has a dilapidated one-storey building.

An adjacent structure which serves as an open classroom because it has no door nor front walls has bamboo and nipa for roofing. Actually divided to make two classrooms, it houses termite-infested chairs, teacher's table, and visual aids.

I can imagine why teachers in this school see the need to post those offenses. Despite the idyllic environment, the school's facilities are not suitable for learning. They can probably drive some people mad.

We were just there for five-hours to swim and snorkel so we didn't have time to get more information and conduct interviews with the locals about how many students and teachers go there, etc. We didn't expect to find a school there anyway.

Far-Flung Place

What I can confirm is this: it is reaaaaally a far-flung place. From Dumaguete City, we took an almost an hour bus ride to Malatapay, Zamboanguita. Along the highway, we hailed a tricycle that took us to the coastline where boats can be rented for P 1,500 to 2,000 for a 45-minute ride to the island. The ride is splashy and wet and bumpy as the boat slices through the sometimes ferocious waves (depending on the weather and time of day).

Imagine teachers' travails in getting there.

And imagine this state multiplied about a hundred times in other far, far away barrios in the Philippines. What hurts is I know I wouldn't have to go out of Luzon to see this situation. So we have eradicated the problem of classroom shortage?

Should we care?

Is there somebody out there who has a good idea on how to help this school in Apo Island?
We were just passing by and we intended to have fun. We did have fun but something in the depressed state of the school wants me to hurl invectives at congressmen and senators and other grossly corrupt government officials.

Surely, JUST A ONE MONTH OFFICIAL TAKE-HOME PAY OF A CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR can drastically improve the lot of this school.

But I wouldn't push my luck and knock on their better nature (assuming a miracle happens and they suddenly grow a conscience). I'm exhausted with the thought of blaming the government and depending on it to take action.

"Good" Idea

So I'd take this emailing down. Rather than weep, whine, rant, or do nothing, my "good" idea is this:

Send this email to the Foundation for the Encouragement of People Power (FEPP) or such NGOs who are reliable and trustworthy in making a difference in education. If they can organize/mobilize a group who can collect funds and ensure that it will be used ONLY for the improvement of the school, I'd be the first in line to donate funds.

Surely a cop-out thing on my part to rely on someone to do the organizing and collecting funds for the school. But I guess there are some other institutions that are more equipped and can do the task better than me.
If you can email this to people who can act judiciously and appropriately, may God bless your good soul.

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May our God of the past, present, and future continually give us grateful hearts for all the blessings and comforts that
enrich us.

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There are some things that we can't control. But if we grab one chance to make a difference, to show that we actually care, how wonderful the world will be.

~~~Agnes Apostol