BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education (DepEd), the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom2) and UNICEF have recognized the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Gapan City for its effective resource management and impressive student achievement, positioning it as a model for public school financing across the Philippines.

A field visit led by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and EdCom2 Co-Chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian provided insights on Gapan’s strategies. Strong parental and LGU support enabled the learners to earn a 95% score in the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) and above-average scores in the National Achievement Tests (NAT6 and NAT10). 

Secretary Angara urged the SDO Gapan staff to share their best practices across other divisions, which also highlighted the city’s resourcefulness in managing limited Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). 

“What is clear is that the schools and students who perform best are those who are supported not only within the schools, but also at home and by the community and the local governments,” Secretary Angara said. 

“Spread the word of how you did it,” Angara encouraged, underscoring the potential for replication in other areas.

Gapan East Elementary School and Kapalangan National High School were recognized by UNICEF as Top Performing Schools, exemplifying how effective MOOE and Special Education Fund (SEF) usage can yield exceptional results. 

EdCom2 Director Karol Mark Yee noted that the field visit aimed to understand the financial strategies that supported these schools’ high performance and could serve as a model for schools of varying sizes.

With insights gathered, UNICEF Deputy Representative Behzad Noubary and Gapan City Mayor Joy Pascual expressed optimism about Gapan’s sustainable model for addressing immediate funding challenges while advancing long-term educational goals.

*All Photos from DepEd