Mga guro sa Aklan, tumatawid sa rumaragasang ilog para lamang makapagturo | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Summary

The video highlights the heroic efforts of teachers from Dalagsaan Integrated School in Libacao, Aklan, who face dangerous river crossings and rugged terrain just to reach their students. Despite the risks, including strong currents and the absence of proper safety gear, these teachers persevere for the sake of education. Their journey is a testament to their dedication, often requiring them to sacrifice their own safety for their students' futures. The video also underscores the need for better infrastructure and support to ensure these educators can continue their vital work without compromising their lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers in Libacao, Aklan face extreme challenges crossing rivers to reach their school, risking their lives for the sake of education.
• 😀 Despite the dangerous conditions, teachers like Teacher A, even when pregnant, continue to cross rushing rivers with little protection.
• 😀 The teachers' journey involves multiple river crossings, walking on slippery and rocky paths, and sometimes even using plastic bags as makeshift life vests.
• 😀 In some instances, the teachers' boats capsized, and they had to swim for their lives or face the risk of drowning in strong currents.
• 😀 Hazard pay of over Php 11,000 was given to teachers in 2017, but it remains insufficient to cover the high costs of travel and daily expenses.
• 😀 Despite the hardships, some teachers, like Teacher Noral, are dedicated to their school and community, returning to teach even after working in universities.
• 😀 The local government has provided life vests for teachers in the past, but the need for safer transportation options, like hanging bridges, remains urgent.
• 😀 A two-story building with eight classrooms was planned for the school, but bidders backed out due to the difficulty of access to the area.
• 😀 Students from Dalagsaan Integrated School, grateful for their teachers' sacrifices, express heartfelt gratitude and surprise gestures towards them.
• 😀 The teachers' determination to teach despite dangerous conditions highlights their heroism, but there's a pressing need for improved infrastructure and safety measures.

Q & A

What is the main challenge faced by teachers in Libacao, Aklan, as described in the video?

The main challenge is the difficult and dangerous commute to school, where teachers must cross fast-flowing rivers multiple times, sometimes risking their lives, especially after heavy rains or typhoons.

How do the teachers cross the Aklan River, given its strong current?

The teachers cross the river by using makeshift rafts or by being carried by guides. They often rely on plastic bags as makeshift life vests and sometimes have to hold onto each other to ensure safety during the crossing.

Why are the teachers risking their lives to travel to their school in Dalagsaan?

The teachers are risking their lives because they are committed to educating their students, despite the dangerous conditions. The remote location of the school makes regular access difficult, and they feel a strong responsibility to teach.

What is the significance of the hazard pay that the teachers receive?

The teachers receive hazard pay to compensate for the dangers they face during their commute, with the amount reaching up to Php 11,000 in 2017. However, it is not sufficient to cover the full cost of their travel and daily expenses.

What are the living conditions like in Dalagsaan?

Dalagsaan is a remote barangay with no cellphone signal or electricity. Residents rely on solar panels or generators for power, and the primary livelihood is farming. It is an isolated area, and the teachers face additional hardships living there.

What is the story of Teacher Noral, and why does she continue to teach in Dalagsaan despite the challenges?

Teacher Noral continues to teach in Dalagsaan out of gratitude to the school where she was educated. Despite having taught at a university, she feels a strong sense of duty to return and serve her community, even though the journey is difficult.

How do the teachers manage the physical challenges during their commute?

The teachers manage by supporting each other, sometimes relying on guides to help them across the river and through the dangerous paths. Some teachers even endure personal discomfort, such as being carried due to exhaustion or pregnancy.

What was the condition of the river during the teachers' journey, and how did it impact their commute?

The river's current was extremely strong, particularly after Typhoon Ompong. The teachers encountered deep waters that reached up to their waists or chests. The strong currents made the crossing even more hazardous, with some teachers losing their shoes or suffering injuries.

What kind of infrastructure support does Dalagsaan School need to improve teacher safety and accessibility?

The school needs infrastructure improvements such as the construction of hanging bridges to make the commute safer for teachers and students. There are also plans for a two-story building with eight classrooms, but the project has faced delays due to difficulties in finding willing contractors.

What efforts have been made by the local government to address the teachers' safety concerns?

The local government of Libacao has provided life vests to teachers, but these were only given to those previously assigned to the area. There have also been recent inspections and discussions about potential bridge constructions to improve access to the school.