The Department of Education – Cordillera region said arts- and sports-focused basic education has begun to entice students, giving them higher chances to excel while pursuing their education.

Edgar Vicente, Education Program Supervisor under the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) of DepEd-Cordillera, said in an interview on Tuesday that 12 elementary and secondary schools in the region have opened their “Special Program for the Arts” (SPA) – two in Baguio City; four in Kalinga; one in Abra; one in Mountain Province; one in Tabuk City; and three in Benguet.

He said six secondary schools have also opened their “Special Program for Sports” (SPS).

“They have add-on subjects that make them more adept in the execution, as well as all (the information) about the sports or arts they are inclined with,” he said.

Vicente underscored the importance of grassroots sports, wherein students compete in local, regional, national, and international events that provide exposure and boost the learners’ skills.

He said grassroots sports have proven to be an effective way of developing future international gold miners, as proven by the experience of Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

“We are also dreaming of producing a Carlos Yulo from our region. We have international medalist(s) who started from local competitions in our schools and further improving them and exposing them will also help develop their talents,” he said.

Vicente said DepEd partners with the local government units in providing complete equipment that would allow special training to be provided to those in the program.

“Not just the local government units, we also maintain (a) strong partnership with the parents because the program (requires) not just moral support but also entails funds,” he added. (PNA)