City dad pushes approval of anti-truancy ordinance
TACLOBAN CITY- In a bid to increase participation rate and significantly reduce the number of dropouts among private and public elementary and secondary schools in the Tacloban City schools division, City Councilor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin is currently working for the approval of “The Anti-Truancy Ordinance of Tacloban City.”
In an interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express recently, Yaokasin disclosed that the proposed legislation is already on its second reading at the City Council.
“I just hope that this proposed ordinance would be approved early next year when we resume our regular session. I am working hard for its approval so that it would be ready for implementation before the elections next year,” Yaokasin said.
Yaokasin, who chairs the committee on education at the City Council, revealed that drop-out rate in this city has already surged to a little more than 10 percent in the secondary level while only more than one percent in the elementary level.
“The fact that one in every ten students would usually drop out from school has alarmed me, the reason why I conceptualized the creation of this proposed anti-truancy ordinance,” Yaokasin said.
It was found out that truants, students who are playing hooky or simply referred to as “bulakboleros”, can be seen loitering in public places and entering cafes, business establishments and playing video/ computer games and billiards during school hours.
Some of them are also occasionally found to be involved in prohibited activities during the hours that they are supposed to be in school attending their classes. Because of truancy, some students also become victims of street crimes.
“This ordinance aims to protect the interest of the students for the peace of mind of their parents and guardians, by isolating them from the effects of societal ills that destroy their student life and their future, and also to control and prevent juvenile delinquency,” Yaokasin said.
Express learned that the proposed legislation is also directed towards establishing a Truancy Council and the creation of a system that would directly involve barangay officials, school officials, and teachers as action officers in the implementation of the ordinance.
Under this proposed ordinance, corresponding disciplinary measures and penalties are imposed against the erring owners of business establishments, truant students and their parents or guardians as well.
“It is high time that the city government adopts a truancy system so that the best interests of children whom the government and parents have provided a place in school are protected,” Yaokasin pointed out. (Lemuel Pagliawan, with report from Jose Rodriguez Señase)
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