VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte asked schoolchildren in Pola, Oriental Mindoro to help other learners who are unable to read instead of heckling them.

During her visit to the Tagumpay Elementary School in this province, Duterte underscored the importance of promoting reading literacy among children for better communication and self-development.

“Dapat ‘yung mga hindi pa marunong magbasa, huwag nating awayin, huwag nating kantyawan, huwag nating pagtawanan. Dapat yung mga hindi pa marunong magbasa, dapat nating turuan. Kailangan natin tulungan,” she told the learners.

She also encouraged the learners to pursue their dreams through education.

“Kailangan dapat meron tayong tinitingnan na gusto nating gawin. Lahat ng pagsisikap natin sa loob ng classroom, papunta sya doon sa gusto nating gawin,” she told the children.

Duterte also visited the Leandro Panganiban Sr.–Tagumpay High School where she listened to the concerns and issues of the school faculty.

Duterte said student attendance in the two schools was affected by the oil spill caused
by the sinking of MT Princess Empress off Naujan town on February 28.

Among the concerns and issues raised by High School Head Christopher Llave were the teachers’ challenges in skills development areas, campus internet connectivity, learning facilities and the struggle of learners who live far from the campus.