VICE PRESIDENT and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio visited seven public schools in Masbate, weeks after the clash between government forces and the New People’s Army that suspended classes in the province.

Duterte went to the Palani Integrated School in Balud, Guindawahan Elementary School in Pio Corpuz, Locso-an Elementary School and Arriesgado Sevilleno High School in Placer, Villa Hermosa Elementary School and Villa Hermosa National High School in Cawayan and Masbate National Comprehensive High School in Masbate City.

During her visit, the education chief emphasized to the students the importance of education in ending poverty.

She also had a dialogue with teachers to listen to their grievances. Among the topics discussed were additional school buildings, reducing teachers’ paper works, and providing stress debriefing.

The Vice President then led the distribution of PagbaBAGo kits to a total of 1,513 students from different schools in the province.

“Tulad ng mga naunang PagbaBAGo distribution, ibinahagi natin sa mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon at ang pagkakaroon ng determinasyong makatapos ng pag-aaral ang magiging susi nila upang maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap sa buhay,” Duterte-Carpio said.