PAMPANGA Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab has appealed to the Department of Education to re-assess the situation of the education sector in the province as she called for the allocation of extra funds for the construction of additional secondary schools to accommodate more students.

Pineda-Cayabyab noted the mismatch between elementary, secondary and senior high schools in the province, which she lamented will prejudice the young who want to pursue college education.

“Kawawa naman po ang ating mga estudyante na nagnanais na makatapos ng high school nang sa ganun ay makapag-aral sila sa kolehiyo. Mahalagang matugunan ng pamahalaan, lalo na ng DepEd, ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral para masiguro na magiging maayos ang kanilang kinabukasan,” the official said.

Pineda-Cayabyab lamented that there is a huge decline in the number of high schools in Pampanga which will make it difficult for elementary students to pursue their education.

She pointed out that while there are 441 elementary or primary schools that offer Grades 1 to 6 education, there are only 123 high or secondary schools which offer Grades 7 to 12, and only two stand alone senior high schools which offer Grades 11 and 12.

There are also only six integrated schools which offer both elementary or primary and secondary education.

“Napakalaki po ng gap sa pagitan ng mga paaralang nag-o-offer ng elementary education at secondary or high school education. Mapapansin na dalawamput walong porsyento ng kabuuang bilang ng eskwelahan ang ang mayroon lang senior highschool. Agarang solusyon ang kailangan para maayos ang napalakaling mismatch sa ating mga paaralan,” Pineda-Cayabyab stressed.

“Nanawagan po ako sa Department of Education na sana ay maglaan ng mas malaking pondo para sa agarang pagpapagawa ng mga karagdagang high school at senior high schools nang sa gayun ay hindi mahinto ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan,” she said.