“Every child deserves a champion” said Rita Pierson. This is the driving force behind the conception of Project ZeDro (Zero-Dropouts) which hopes to address the dropout rate of Cuneta Elementary School. Project ZeDro was launch on July 7, 2017 with the facilitation of Focal Person, Lorena A. Aliperio and Assistant Focal Person John D. Liban through the support of current school head, Mrs. Genalin S. Ong. Gathering a variety of stakeholders in the Multi-Purpose room of the school, C.E.S presented a project that will save pupils from leaving the school with the whole community as a champion.

The event started with an opening ceremony of prayers and singing of the National Anthem. Mrs. Genalin S. Ong welcomed and thanked all attendees to officially start the event. She explained the purpose of the activity and why it is important for all sectors of the community to take part in it. With determined voice, she insisted the seriousness of obliging pupils to come to school and discourage absenteeism.

This was followed by an intermission number under the guidance of Araling Panlipunan teachers Mr. Jonas S. Oja and Ms. Acrima S. Labay. Pupils from combined grade levels sung “It takes a Village” in front of the visitors which consisted of parents, barangay personnel, policemen and interested stakeholders. The student performed an interpretative dance of the song and asked the stakeholders to light their candles to signify their importance in the education.

To precisely define what Project ZeDro is, Focal Person Mrs. Lorena Aliperio took the stage. She presented actual digits of the school’s enrollees from SY 2014-2017 and the annual dropout rate. She then proceeded in connecting this small digit to the disadvantages the whole nation will suffer. “People without education are unable to get a job and more likely to spend their lives jobless and or on government assistance. These pupils often struggle with poverty, abuse and neglect in their homes.” She said. For this reason, she defined the role of Project ZeDro in offering several interventions to prevent dropouts.

Mr. John D. Liban, assistant focal person, proceeded in explaining what interventions the school can offer and the role of all stakeholders. He begun by enlisting several causes that PARDO (Pupils’ At Risk of Dropping Out) are experiencing. He mentioned poverty, poor nutritional status, family problem, and distance of school from home, source of income, poor academic performance, cultural adjustments, and lack of interest in studies or repeaters. In order to fully address so many causes, he demonstrated distinct interventions that may provide help and assistance to these pupils. These included interventions like home visitation, educational assistance, awards and incentives and many more. To end his speech, he declared that all these interventions will only come to fruition if every member of the community lends their support.

The event came close to end by finally introducing the new officers of the General Parents’ Teachers Association. Newly elected president Mrs. Helen Medios expresses her determination in lending al that she can to help Project ZeDro by proposing an activity which all parents and teachers can join and bring fund to the project. Together with the other officers, they took their oathtaking in front of the crowd headed by Genalin S. Ong.

Mrs. Genalin S. Ong officially ended the event by reminding all stakeholders that every child deserves a chance and support. She stresses the fact that children might not realize yet how important education is and it is everyone’s responsibility to make them realize it. She mentioned her role as a parent and how much support and encouragement matters to a child. Highlighting the ongoing Perfect Attendance Awarding every month, she emphasized the staggering number in which only 30 students were awarded on the first month it was held and now more than a hundred are receiving their certificates every month.

To demonstrate the stakeholders’ commitment in the project, they signed their names on the tarpaulin before exiting the multi-purpose room. Through everyone’s support, Project ZeDro will do its best in securing every pupil’s future. It is not only the teachers who have major roles in pupil’s performance in school but also everyone in their social environment partakes in honing them.