Bro. Armin Luistro, secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), spearheaded the launching and distribution of Worktexts  for Grade I in Kinaray-a at FCM Hall, University of Antique (UA), August 1.

Dr. Victor E. Navarra, UA President welcomed the guests, members of the Technical Working Group (TWG), DepEd Officials, the beneficiaries and their parents as well as the provincial and local officials.

The Mother Tongue Worktext Project, otherwise known as “Buylog sa Kinaaram” was the output through the collaborative effort of the Technical Working Group composed of Sibalom Grade 1 teachers, faculty of the University of Antique headed by Prof. Jelyn O. Alentajan, Director for External Affairs,  Kinaray-a writers, editors, translators, and consultants from the academe, and  the Sibalom Education Community. This project was realized in partnership with Ayala Foundation, Inc. and DepEd.

“This project is a testimony of your sense of pride because you did not only work for books but you also built communities,” said Luistro in his speech.

Meanwhile, Luistro also thanked the UA community for being a partner with DepEd in addressing local needs in education especially with the new K-12 curriculum.

The project started in March through the aid of Ayala Foundation’s Enabling Education Communities (EEC) program.

Prof. Jelyn O. Alentajan, UA Director for External Affairs, and aslso the lead convener of the Mother Tongue Worktext Project shared their experience in coming up with the output.

Mr. Mario Deriquito, Senior Director of Ayala Foundation, Inc., commented that the whole community worked for it and this makes a lot of difference.

“You have started a journey of coming up with the worktext and this was borne out of love and pride of Antique… This synergy between CHED and DepEd is to address the local needs of learners,” Dr. John Arnold Siena, Schools Division Superintendent, shared his appreciation for the efforts of the TWG.

Before the activity ended, Sec. Luistro posed this challenge to Mayor Occeña and Gov. Javier: “Since this is the first province to launch its worktext in the native language for Grade 1, I encourage you to come up with worktexts for Grade II and Grade III. This is your assignment in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation, Inc.”

Governor Exequiel Javier, Mayor Joel Occena, DepEd Regional Director Mildred Garay, Division Schools Division Superintendent John Arnold Siena and Sr. Director Mario Deriquito of Ayala Foundation Inc., were also present during the launching.