By: Cynthia L. Abarquez

“Bagama’t dumaan tayo sa pagsubok ng pandemya, hindi ito naging sagabal upang nakamit natin ang mga magagandang datos ng paaralan.” This is the contention of Mr. Peter R. Cannon, Jr., principal IV of Pasay City West High School, during the first State of the School Address (SOSA) held on Oct. 15, 2021, at 3:00 pm, via the official Facebook page of the school.

The principal proceeded with the discussion of the school’s enrollment rate, completion rate, dropout rate, and cohort-survival rate. “Ang target po natin sa taong ito ay mabawasan ang dropout rate kahit man lng kalahati ng mahigit 240 na nagdrop noong nakaraan.”, said the school head. He stressed that the school has surpassed its target as the number of dropouts has significantly dropped from 286 in 2019-2020 to only 62 in 2020-2021, saying that the said decrease is brought about by the hard work of the teachers. The school head also said, “Nadagdagan din ang bilang ng ating mga nagtapos at ako po ay naniniwala na ito ay magagawa pa nating pataasin sa tulong ng Diyos, ng mga guro, ng mga department heads at ng mga parents.” Cannon further explained that even though some students are having difficulties in studying because some are working, they can still continue their studies because the school, with the help of the GPTA and teachers will continue to help them finish their education at least until Grade 12.  

Being a former English teacher, Sir Cannon emphasized the importance of reading comprehension. “Importante ang pagbabasa. Importante na naiintindihan ng mag-aaral ang kanilang binabasa at sinusulat dahil kung walang (reading) comprehension, walang saysay ang lahat ng subject areas,’”said the principal.

The principal also named the various school projects which all aim to improve the learning activities in the school. To wit: Project YAKAP (Yakapin ang Kabataan, Akayin sa Paaralan) – Guidance Office, FilipiKnowell – Filipino Department, Enhancement Reading Program and the Remedial Reading Program – English Department. He also enumerated the different ICT innovations done by the school which are: Project MINE ALL (Mathematics Innovation and New Enhancement Activities for Asynchronous Learning of Learners) and Project iGRAPPs (iGraph, iGrasp, iInnovate Apps), Project eConnect (Electronic Centralized, Organized Network for New Normal), and Project QuCEI (Quality Connection for Efficient Information in the New Normal). With this, the principal concluded, “Naglelevel-up ang mga guro natin. Sila ay nag-iisip ng mga konsepto para ma-improve ang paaralan, para tumugon sa mga advancement ng teknolohiya.”

Likewise, the school head describes the educational profile of PCWHS teachers by showing through a pie chart that the majority of the teachers have units in a master’s degree. He then explained that teachers should study “Hindi lamang para sa promotion kundi para sa self-satisfaction.” He then explained that learning is a continuous process and that we should not stop studying.

Cannon also said, “Umaarangkada ang husay ng ating mga guro sa research.” He reported that 20 PCWHS teachers have completed their Action Research and that 11 out of 20 teacher-researchers have forwarded their proposals to the regional office. The seven (7) proponents qualified for Basic Education Research Fund (BERF). He further said that the school has always been encouraging the teachers and the students to do research while claiming “Ang success ng isang bansa ay depende sa pagsasagawa ng research.”

The principal also expressed his salute to the students. “Mga bibo at biba ang mga estuyanta pagdating sap ag-aaral, pagsasayaw at pagakanta.” He stressed that, in spite of and despite the circumstances, the students still managed to join and win some contests and activities. He also mentioned the success story of Adrean Tolosa, an alumnus of PCWHS who graduated from the school in 2017.

He likewise boasted of the outstanding work of some teachers by saying that a number of PCWHS teachers were tapped to be module writers and teacher broadcasters, while others have joined in the SDO ICT innovation contest.  

When it comes to governance, Sir Cannon stressed that the school is doing its best for the students saying “Ginagawa ng eskwelahan na matugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan sa abot ng aming makakaya.” He then asked the parents to remain cooperative. In his closing statement, the principal stressed, Basta’t itinataas natin sa Dyos ang dasal natin, magiging successful ang ating ginagawa.”

The first SOSA was themed “Envisaging the future together, building a synergetic partnership towards continuous learning.” Emcee of the online event was Ms. Hanna Ruth David while Mr. Rodolfo Ching led the opening prayer.