“Every child deserves the same chance to study, no matter how far they live”- BM Kitongan on approval of establishing 5 public schools in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — “Bringing schools closer to children in remote communities is key to giving them equal access to education,” said Board Member Emilio T. Kitongan following the approval by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of measures supporting the establishment of five public schools in Pasil and Pinukpuk.

Earlier this August, the provincial board approved proposed Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) covering the establishment of Pinococ National High School, Taggay National High School, and Aciga National High School in Pinukpuk, and Cagaluan Integrated School and Colayo Integrated School in Pasil.

Kitongan, chairperson of the SP Committee on Education, endorsed the measures supporting the establishment of the schools, which were subsequently approved by the provincial board.

Following the approval, Governor James S. Edduba was authorized to sign the agreements with the Department of Education (DepEd)-Kalinga, marking another step toward the establishment of the five schools.

Once established, the schools are expected to make education more accessible to children in remote communities by reducing the time, cost, and difficulty of traveling to school and giving learners in underserved areas a better opportunity to continue their education.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Kitongan said the SP’s action is not simply about adding schools but about removing distance and other barriers that prevent children from accessing education.

“Every meter or kilometer nga maikkat iti pagdaliasatan dagiti ubbing ket dakkel nga makatulong iti panagadal da. For me, this is not only about building another school. It is about making sure that a child in a far-flung barangay has the same opportunity to study as a child who lives near an established school,” Kitongan said.

He noted that in some remote communities, children are willing to study, but distance, difficult roads, and limited transportation can make regular school attendance challenging.

“Nu maminsan, diay ubing ket haan met nga masadot, willing met isuna nga sumrek. The problem, sometimes, is the distance, the road, or the lack of transportation. If we can remove those barriers by bringing the school closer, then we are also giving the child a better chance to stay in school,” he said.

As chairperson of the Education Committee, Kitongan said he will continue supporting measures aimed at addressing barriers to education and expanding access to learning opportunities for children in remote communities.

“Every child deserves the same chance to study, no matter how far they live,” he underscored.

He also thanked Vice Governor Atty. Dave Odiem and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for their continued support for initiatives aimed at improving access to education in Kalinga.

“As Chairman of the Committee on Education, dayta ti maysa nga kayat tayo ma-address, diay barriers ti panageskuela dagiti ubbing. Ket itultuloy tayo latta nga agtrabaho para ti pagsayaatan dagiti ubbing. Agyaman tayo metlang ti whole Sangguniang Panlalawigan iti agtultuloy nga suporta da kadagiti kakastoy nga pagsayaatan dagiti learners tayo,” he concluded.