Olongapo City widens education program

OLONGAPO CITY — Residents in this city will have access to a wider selection of both formal and informal courses as the city government extended its scholarship and training programs to improve the skills of city residents.

From training in making pastries and doing body massage, to graduate courses in nursing and business management, the city offers every possible assistance to improve the lot of its inhabitants, said Mayor James Gordon Jr.

“We believe that poverty should not be a hindrance to realizing the dreams of the youth; it should instead be a challenge. So we aim to give the youth a better chance in making their lives better by providing quality education,” Gordon said.

The city’s scholarship program is open to poor but bright students in the elementary, high school and college levels, with the students required to maintain excellent grades to avail themselves of the “educational privilege.”

Scholars in the college level are specifically required to pass the entrance examination at Gordon College, a homegrown institution that now offers various two- and four-year courses.

The college’s Institute of Graduate Studies (IGS) is now offering graduate courses in nursing, education, business management, and public administration under a trimester program.

Eder Magsayo, a professor and IGS spokesman, said 13 students have so far completed the graduates program since it began three years ago. As of now, the institute has 97 enrollees, he said.

Magsayo added that the graduate program is part of Mayor Gordon’s community services project that was geared to provide quality education to city residents.

Aside from the scholarship program, Gordon also announced the offering of free training to residents who want to improve their means of livelihood.

“There are two ways to make a living. One is by gaining employment, and the other is by employing yourself, which is the better option because you are your own boss,” Gordon said. He said among the training modules scheduled this month by the city’s Livelihood Cooperative Development Office are those for meat processing, Chinese dimsum preparation, body massage, chocolate candy and pastries production, and preparation of squash-based products.

Written by Henry Empeño / Correspondent businessmirror.com.ph