While there is a growing number of student dropouts and school closure in the country due to the pandemic, Holy Cross College with the Department of Education (DepEd) rolls out financial assistance to students to help them continue their education.
The school conducted an orientation with parents and students last October 14 about the ESC voucher program, which can help them ease their financial problems during the crisis.
HCC President, Atty. Dennis C. Pangan motivated students in the orientation that every victory also underwent obstacles. Atty. Pangan likened the students to a wooden cube who experienced changes and development to prepare for a better future.
“Ganiyan din po ang ating buhay, nag aaral habang nasa bahay nakakulong hindi makalabas limitado ang kilos, limitado ang resources, limitado internet iyong dati mong nararanasan mong saya sa loob ng eskwelahan, nawala lahat,” Atty. Pangan said.
“Kasama po lahat yan sa ating pagsasakripisyo na bilang isang wooden cube ikaw ay magagasgasan, ikaw ay masasaktan, ikaw ay malunglungkot, ikaw ay madedepress, kailangan po pagdaanan yan para maging isang ganap na bilog, maging ganap na isang mag-aaral na kung saan pagtapos ng pandemiya na ito tayong lahat ay makakakilos ng payapa, makakakilos ng masaya at makakakilos ng walang pag aalinlangan,” he added.
The Education Service Contracting (ESC) is financial assistance in the form of tuition subsidies to qualified elementary school graduates. This program applies to incoming grade 7 to grade 10 students who wish to enroll and are currently enrolled at a private school.
Holy Cross College is among the participating schools and certified by the Department of Education through the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC).
ESC grantees per school are selected due to limited slots given by the government. Students who are eligible for this grant shall be an elementary graduate from a DepEd public school or DepEd recognized private school, must be an incoming grade 7 student, and has not been a recipient of the ESC in the previous years.
Students shall submit the requirements; ESC application form, 2×2 pictures, birth certificate issued by Philippine Statistics Authority, grade 6 report card, proof of income of parents or certificate of indigency, and certificate of tax exemption from the BIR.
If students passed the qualification to be a grantee, he/she will be eligible for a P9, 000 for the tuition starting from grade 7until he/she graduates to grade 10.
However, the grant will be terminated if a grantee drops out for non-health reasons in the middle of the school year, does not enroll in the following academic year, is suspended by more than two weeks, expelled, or transfers to non-ESC participating JHS.