Laoag City—The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Provincial Education Office (PEdO) conducted the screening and interview of new applicants for the senior high school (SHS) scholarship program on May 21-24, 2019, at the second floor of Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city.
PEdO met 740 new applicants for initial screening, alongside 352 SHS students who eyes the renewal of their scholarship grants.
Implemented in November 2018, the SHS scholarship program is the newest addition to the provincial government’s integrated Sirib Scholarship Program.
It was established through the Provincial Ordinance No. 049-2018 sponsored by senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Ilocos Norte Governor-elect Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc.
The SHS Scholarship Program aims to provide monthly cash allowance to beneficiaries to augment fare and boarding fees, and to buy school supplies, among others.
“Positive ang feedback ng unang taon ng SHS scholarship program. Ebidensiya nito ang dami ng tumatangkilik at nag-apply sa ’tin ngayong semester,” Carolyn Agcaoili, PEdO’s education research assistant I, remarked.
Every semester, PEdO offers 1,000 slots to SHS students regardless of the curriculum strand. In exchange, beneficiaries render 20 hours of community service within the duration of the scholarship program, through the supervision of the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA).
Ms. Agcaoili also motivated the students to keep on trying, saying: “Ang laking ginhawa nitong programa ng provincial government lalo na sa mga gustong-gustong makapagtapos sa pag-aaral ngunit walang resources. Madami talaga itong natutulungan. Kaya naman sa mga hindi makaka-abot sa application ngayong semester, since first come, first served, pwede pa kayong mag-apply sa susunodna semester.”
She further reminded interested applicants to present proof of general weighted grade not lower than 85%, certificate of indigency, and birth certificate on the day of application. (Blessing Angel V. Agliam)