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A team of 12 teachers of Sibucao Integrated School navigate through muddy and dangerous roads, and cross a river, which swells during the rainy season, to reach an extension class in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – In a community scarred by conflict and challenged by the terrain and weather disturbances, dedicated teachers are taking risks to bring education to the outback communities of Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City.
Robert Calonia, head teacher at Sibucao Integrated School, knows this mission intimately. For seven years, he has walked for at least three hours each week from the city proper of Himamaylan, navigating treacherous paths carved through the rugged terrain.
The roads, often muddy and treacherous, are a constant challenge, but the real danger lies in the river crossings. During the rainy season, the rivers swell into raging torrents, forcing Calonia and his colleagues to rely on the help of locals to guide them across.
“The roads are often muddy and rocky, but the biggest challenge can be the river crossings – we have to wade through strong currents, holding on to ropes and relying on the help of the locals for safety,” Calonia said.
Calonia leads a team of 12 dedicated teachers, all of whom share his commitment to bringing education to these isolated communities. He said their work goes beyond simply teaching – it’s about rebuilding and supporting a community scarred by years of conflict.
“My greatest realization in this community is that teaching really requires courage, commitment, passion, and resilience. Yes, it is challenging but a rewarding experience that could bring many changes in the lives of our learners and the community itself,” he said.
“Many families live in poverty, lacking access to basic necessities like healthcare and stable employment. These economic challenges often lead to children dropping out of school to help support their families,” he added.
The teachers face a daunting task. Calonia said: “The numeracy and literacy levels of learners in the school are low, a common challenge in many remote areas.” The lack of resources and infrastructure in these communities further exacerbates the problem.
The challenges facing Sibucao Integrated School are not new. Across the country, teachers in remote areas also struggle with similar obstacles. The lack of infrastructure, paved roads, and electricity has created a significant impediment to education.
The recent onslaught of the southwest monsoon has further compounded the challenges, particularly for the extension class of Sibucao Integrated School in Sitio Madaja. The makeshift school, built with light materials, was ravaged by the storm, leaving students without a proper learning space, Calonia said.
The city’s school government operation division senior education program specialist, Jema M. Gatilogo, said that the challenges of Himamaylan teachers in the hinterlands are no joke, and efforts to pave roads and build safe bridges are urgently needed to mitigate the risks they face.
Meanwhile, education advocate of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Incorporated (HBONI), Kathleen Optana, said that the government should be more aggressive in addressing the problems of the communities in the countryside.
“Investing in teacher training, roads, school infrastructure, and electricity, among others, are not just about convenience; it’s an investment in the future of the children and their communities,” she said. – Rappler.com
