Diocese of Bataan proposes scholarship despite enrolment drop

DESPITE DROP  in enrolment, nine schools of the Diocese of Bataan are proposing to grant scholarships to children of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.   

“We are setting up scholarship grants in our nine Diocesan schools to sons and daughters of displaced Bataan overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos said on Wednesday.

Santos said the Diocesan schools will also help their teachers to buy their own laptops for online classes.

“Our diocesan responses: We grant PHP10,000 each to our Diocesan teachers for purchase of laptop,” he said.

He said the Diocesan schools have only 80 percent enrollees for the 2020-2021 school year.

“We have only 80 percent enrollees. No enrollees for kinder and prep; and some transfer to public schools,” he said. “Indeed, this is very difficult and hard times. We are all affected by Covid-19. All are suffering. We need to do more sacrifices and be willing to serve and to share our resources.”

Santos also reported that aside from the diocesan schools, their seminary also suffered a huge drop in enrolment.

“In my seminary here in Balanga, Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario College Seminary. It is almost half,” he said. “Yes, there is huge decrease and some did not continue for the reason that they will help their families with their business or will study another course to financially assist their families.”

The nine diocesan schools are: Saint John Academy in Dinalupihan; Holy Rosary Parochial Institute in Orani; Saint Peter Verona Academy in Hermosa; St. Catherine of Siena Academy in Samal; St. Michael the Archangel Academy in Orion; Blessed Regina Protmann Catholic School in Mariveles; St. Nicholas Catholic School of Mariveles; St. James Catholic School of Morong and Our Lady of the Pillar Parochial School, Morong. (By Ferdinand Patinio)