Iloilo guv wants SK as partner in education, psycho-social programs

The provincial government has tapped newly-elected officials of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) as partners in pushing psycho-social and education programs of Iloilo province. 'You are the future of the nation but we don't want you in the future. We want you now, especially in the area of education and psycho-social welfare,' Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. told SK officials Wednesday afternoon. At a press conference, Defensor said the direction of the province is to put up youth development centers in all secondary schools which will have a counterpart from the local government units. Defensor said he would like the Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion (PRIME), a psycho-social program, launched as part of the recovery plan of the province during the pandemic integrated into the teen center and in the SK. 'We want the Sangguniang Kabataan to be the nerve-ending of the program because that is how you detect the concerns of our youth,' he added. Further, the provincial government will al so involve the SK in its BES PROBINS or the 'Bulig sang Eskwela sang Probinsya,' a program for an effective, relevant and transformative education system in the province. BES PROBINS has three components, including career guidance and counseling or the localized implementation of the Republic Act. No. 11206 or the Career Guidance and Counseling Act, voters education program for secondary schools, and support for infrastructure, facilities and operations of public schools. The module for career guidance and counseling is being developed in partnership with the Department of Education and other stakeholders, while the module for the voter's education program is crafted together with the University of the Philippines Visayas. Defensor said the module for the voter's education program is nearing completion as he hoped to have it out and help improve the next SK elections. Source: Philippines News agency