The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reached its 1,100th matching grant in partnership with the Parents-Teachers Associations across Mindanao totalling over $1 million and helping over 600,000 students in elementary and secondary schools.
In simple rites last Thursday, beneficiaries of the matching grant program cited the program’s assistance to their students.
The beneficiaries came from various parts of Mindanao like Zamboanga, the Davao region, Central Mindanao and far-flung areas.
The Education Matching Grant Program (EMGP) is a component of USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program wherein funds are provided that match, peso by peso, the funds raised by the individual PTAs aimed at improving specific education programs or facilities in their respective schools.
Some 900 schools have benefitted from the program ranging from school libraries to science laboratories, computer laboratories, home economics laboraties and multimedia resource centers.
USAID deputy mission director Reed Aeschliman praised education and PTA officials saying that they recognize that ensuring quality education for the children of Mindanao is not solely the responsibility of the national government, and that they too, can make an important difference.
At the Marbel National High School in South Cotabato, their partnership with USAID has resulted to the improvement of their students’ performance in the National Achievement Test.
“Science and English lectures have now become interactive with the use of the internet and LCD projectors out PTA got thru the matching grant. These resources were crucial in improving our school’s year-on-year NAT results. Our students have also been winning in ICT competitions at the Department of Education division level,” said school principal Ricky Dalida.
Interested PTAs who want to apply for matching grant may contact the EMGP team in their area or text them at 09209098551. Be sure to include your name, the name of your school, and your mobile or landline number in the message.
