Unlike other primary schools that offer typical Friday play days for stress relief, Bangcagan Primary School (BPS) in Bucay, Abra has implemented a unique innovative strategy to address children’s stress every Friday.
Aligned with the Department of Education’s “Catch-up Fridays” program, BPS has innovatively introduced “Indayon Park” as a supplement to Dep-Ed’s educational goals, which aims to strengthen the foundational, social, and other relevant skills of learners necessary to actualize the intent of the basic education curriculum.
With the assistance of their generous sponsors, they’ve successfully installed 100 pieces of ‘indayon’, positioned among the trees within the school premises.
Through the proactive efforts of the school principal, the said park was established in November 2022.
School Principal, Ms. Mary Hazel Ballena in an interview with the Guru Press Cordillera said that INDAYON is an acronym for Introducing Numerous Developmental Activities to Young Learners through Networking.
When asked about her motivation on pursuing the program, she said that it came about due to academic deficiencies of the students.
“In Bangcagan PS, some pupils are performing considerably below their grade level…they need more rigor and challenge to avoid boredom and academic apathy,” she explained.
With the school being surrounded by numerous, tall mahogany trees, they came up with the idea of installing the hammock.
“I got the bright idea to make use of these trees into a more meaningful place or avenue for learning to address low reading or literacy level of K-3 learners and classroom shortage as well. I maximized the potential of the school by conceptualizing the project INDAYON,” she elaborated.
Ms. Ballena asserted that the project is highly effective, citing a notable increase in attendance rates.
Also, BPS learners eagerly anticipate each school day, particularly Fridays, and most of them insist on attending even when unwell. Moreover, students delight in participating in their remedial and enrichment activities while swinging alongside their classmates.
“Having a relaxed and comfortable learning environment like the INDAYON Park provides an opportunity for learners to connect with nature, which would help improve mental health. Its rhythmic movement reduced stress, increased feelings of well-being, improved literacy level and academic performance”, the principal believed.
At ‘Indayon Park’, there are varieties of enjoyable and fun-filled activities being introduced such as swing and read, swing and spell, swing and tell, swing and sing, among others. It likewise offers mother and child reading tandem.
To strengthen the success of thriving and de-stress Fridays, sponsors contributed not only 100 “Indayon’ but also supplied 40 show-me boards and assorted reading materials.
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