Establishing Shared Ownership of Gulayan sa Paaralan in Tinurik Elementary School: Basis for Parental Engagement Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Part of theDepartment of Education mission: Family, community and other stakeholders are actively engaged and share responsibility for developing lifelong process. What the school needs today is to involve parents and stakeholders in the school programs and projects. Most often it fails because only few parents respond to the invitation for participation. The school has to develop ways to win the hearts of more parents to engage in theDepartment of Education programs. Encouraging parents to share ownership in Gulayan sa Paaralan is one of the ways to build effective school-parent partnership in Tinurik elementary School.

METHODS

The tool used to determine the parents' participation and commitment in Gulayan sa Paaralan is tracking their attendance and analyzing their feedbacks. The tracking of performance is monitored from July to September or from soil preparation and planting up to harvesting. Each grade levels were given vacant areas in the school to garden.

RESULTS

The study has determined the effectiveness of the shared ownership of Gulayan sa Paaralan. The school has been awarded Best Gulayan sa Paaralan Implementer in the Division of Tanauan City for four consecutive years. The supply of vegetables, specially the green leafy vegetables in the School Based Feeding Program was sustained throughout the year. All vacant areas and garden plots were utilized and planted. Excess vegetables for the school feeding were shared to the parents and to the community. The money raised from vegetables sold in the community was used in the support of the maintenance of the garden.

DISCUSSIONS

The program "Establishing Shared Ownership of Gulayan sa Paaralan” has improved the parents' participation in school programs and projects. Harmonious relationship of the school, parents and community was evident. Pupils attendance were raised to 100%. SBFP beneficiaries who did not eat vegetables before are now enjoying eating food with plenty of vegetables. They are now more active in class. Different recipes with indigenous vegetables were also shared to parents and community because it became available in the school garden.