The city government on Tuesday started the distribution of reading workbooks to 6,828 Grade 3 learners of the Division of Iloilo City under the Proof of Concept (POC), an initiative on the devolution of basic education.

The provision of workbooks is in partnership with the Synergeia, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), and the Regional Education Council–Iloilo.

Edwin Nacionales, program officer of Synergeia in Western Visayas, dubbed the turnover as a historic event, with the POC being one of the pet projects of DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara when he was still chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and one of the commissioners of EDCOM II.

“This is it. We have the workbooks for our Grade 3. A historical event for the entire city of Iloilo because, for the longest time, we have very limited textbooks and instructional materials inside the classroom. Today, we have a one is to one ratio of workbooks to all our Grade 3 pupils in the Division of Iloilo,” Nacionales said during the ceremonial distribution at the Jubilee Hall.

Maria Mathilde Treñas, a member of the Technical Working Group, in her message, said the city government allocated PHP874,000 for the acquisition of essential reading workbooks and training of teachers.

A comprehensive training program was also conducted for 150 Grade 3 teachers across the 10 districts in the Division of Iloilo City to equip teachers with strategies and techniques for teaching reading and improving educational outcomes before today’s ceremony.

“This is to ensure that teachers are well-prepared to implement effective teaching strategies while equipping learners with vital resources to enhance their learning experience. This collaborative effort not only enhances the educational framework but also sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education in the region,” she said.

The workbooks targeted Grade 3 learners, considered an essential grade level in the development of their skills.

Besides Iloilo City, the province of Iloilo was also chosen as a pilot area for the POC.

Last month, the province distributed workbooks to some 8,880 Grade 3 learners from 11 municipalities.

The distribution ceremony was also attended by acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Iloilo provincial government technical working group member Alma Ravena, curriculum implementation chief Arlo Villalva, and Jaro I Elementary School Principal Gracia Divinagracia. (PNA)