PIA Press Release
Thursday, January 26, 2012Ilocos Norte inches closer to achieving MDG targets for educationby Ma. Cristina C. ArzadonLAOAG CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) – The provincial government’s education program for public schoolchildren continues to send more poor students to various school levels under the Millennium Development Goals program. Based on the Provincial Education Department’s records, close to 10,000 schoolchildren were given funding support for 2011. The PED was created in 2010 as an education program for the poor. Under the program, the PED seeks to provide a complete primary education among children in poor communities. A Capitol media release posted on its website said the campaign focuses on providing quality basic education to all children in the province. The provincial government has set aside P6 million to support the children’s stipends, tuition fees and other school requirements. The funds are also intended for the construction of school buildings in areas that suffer from classroom shortage. Last year, at least 13 bungalow-type school buildings with two classrooms for primary and elementary education in remote areas were built. Capitol records also showed an increase in enrollees for 2011. At least 6,379 new students enrolled in kindergarten, elementary and high school levels in the public sector while 2,086 enrolled in the private sector. The PED is eyeing more scholarship grants for college students for 2012. The provincial government also provides free school rides to poor schoolchildren in Laoag and Badoc town. (ANL/CCA-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte) | 
