Full Implementation of Principal-led Approach in School Building Program is Necessary

By Gilbert M. Forbes


The country didn’t reach the target Gross Domestic Product increase as targeted for the recent quarter.  It only posted a 3.4% growth for the second quarter short of 5.9% compared to last year’s recorded annual growth rate.  Critics are partly blaming the government for its low spending though other contributing factors need to be considered.

The government however is quick to respond that it is better that way to make sure that precious government funding goes with the right place and the right time benefitting more rather than a privilege few.  In exercising care and caution in the use of public funds as pointed out in Inquirer’s editorial, the administration has not only ensured that the people get “more bang for the buck,” it has also trimmed the deficit, resulting successive rating upgrades by international credit agencies.  Putting it simply, the government is just doing its duty of ensuring that money wise, it is going at the right project, place, right people and time. 

The Learning Captain in return is reminded of the principal-led approach in school building construction tried out by DepEd. The principal-led approach not only ensure that projects went directly to school beneficiaries, it also gave the government and the people quality school buildings as compared to ordinarily contracted projects.  Most importantly, on the economic scale, the construction, since community-based generates local employment thus pump priming the economy right at the grass roots level.

It is a common knowledge that most of the time, contractors works are sub-standards be it roads, bridges, and school buildings.  Experiences tell us that during the previous regime, a Php100,000 budget school repair being done by contractors only worth Php35,000 once finished which undeniably will not be the case if the fund is channeled directly to the school and let the community as the primary stakeholder to work for it.

The efficient utilization of MOOE Funds released to schools even how meager it could be at times is a testament to it.  At present, we are witnessed how Php5,000 to Php10,000 MOOE directly released to our school leaders are making difference in our schools beauty, upkeep and most importantly, some basic operating expenses.  Although school heads could be experiencing difficulties in the liquidation process, still, they could not deny the fact that these releases are of great help to their schools no matter how small or big the amount is.

There could still be reports of missing funds or corruption due to the magnitude and level of resourcefulness and damaged moral values of some even if it already underwent strict liquidation and audit but there are already safeguards to prevent it from happening.  What the primary stakeholders at the school level should do is to know and do their respective roles being the third party particularly teachers and parents.

They should make sure that not a single peny is left unaccounted for, after all, it is no other than our children and the future generation who will benefit from their vigilance.

The field hopes that MOOE direct release to our schools will already be fully enforced and a system for a hassle and stress free liquidation process put in-placed so that it will not be traumatic to many.  Personnel who are affixing their signatures and reviewing the liquidation papers should be instructed or taught to be friendly, patient, and tactful.

Even when it is yet to be realized, the principal-led approach in school building and other facilities construction should now be fully implemented given the reported success of its pilot implementation and the positive experiences, MOOE direct release to schools had.  DepEd on its part should be fast to act on this matter because it will not only help solve school building shortages in the country but pump prime the economy as well at the very grass roots level.  It will surely benefit more and not just few greedy contractors and corrupt government officials in the higher echelon.

In this sense, the government will no longer worry of spending and whatever increase in the economic indicators is gained will be relevant to all, not just to the privilege few.

(Mr. Gilbert M. Forbes had his Bachelors Degree and MA in Educational Management (CAR) from the Philippine Normal University.  A campus paper adviser and trainer for 13 years.  Currently, he is a school principal in one of the central schools in the Division of Quezon.)