The Iloilo Province recently conducted a levelling session with mayors from six local government units (LGUs) to discuss the BES Basa Program, a key initiative under the Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES PROBINS) Program.
The BES Basa Program is designed to develop a standardized instructional system, providing extensive training and creating instructional materials to improve reading education.
It is expected to lead to province-wide adoption and significant improvements in reading instruction across Iloilo.
Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. underscored the program’s importance, framing education as a core governance responsibility to achieve 100% literacy among learners.
Mayors and officials from pilot LGUs of Janiuay, Lambunao, Carles, Dingle, Oton, and San Miguel were presented with the findings from recent focus group discussions conducted by the provincial Education Core Group (EDCORE).
Several factors contributing to reading problems were identified including malnutrition, learner absenteeism, behavioural issues, insufficient parental involvement, and the absence of standardized instructional strategies among teachers.
Iloilo 3rd District Board Member Jason Gonzales emphasized that a uniform approach to reading instruction is critical to addressing these issues and reducing the number of non-readers and non-numerate students.
“In our view, this is one of the fundamental weaknesses of the system. Why are we seeing the problem we are seeing?” he said, adding that frequent teacher transfers and inadequate accountability mechanisms have worsened literacy problems.
He called for robust accountability measures to prevent these issues from persisting as students are promoted despite ongoing reading difficulties. He also encouraged local government units to appoint focal persons to oversee the implementation and ensure effective accountability.
Defensor also outlined plans for Phase 2 of the BES PROBINS Program, which will introduce a tech-vocational track for students with significant learning gaps.
This phase will include the creation of training facilities to be funded by the Special Education Fund (SEF) to offer alternative educational pathways.
The mayors expressed strong support to the program.
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