Laserna Integrated School
Category: Cultural Institution
District of Nabas
Contents
Background Information
Municipality/City: Nabas
Province: Aklan
Location/Address:Laserna, Nabas, Aklan
Narrative Description
The Department of Education was established through the Education Decree of 1863 as the Superior Commission of Primary Instruction under a Chairman. The Education agency underwent many reorganization efforts in the 20th century in order to better define its purpose vis a vis the changing administrations and charters. The present-day Department of Education was eventually mandated through Republic Act 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education act of 2001 which establishes the mandate of this agency.
The Department of Education (DepEd) formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non- formal basic education. It supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private; and provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.
With its motto "Arangkada Laserna!", Laserna Integrated School aspires to be one of the top performing schools in the Division of Aklan. The school is committed to offering a variety of programs and activities in accordance with DepEd mandates centered on the well-being of our students.
No gain, no glory.", the motto that inspired the children and parents in Sitio Cumalascas, Gibon, Nabas, Capiz now Laserna, Nabas, Aklan. Despite the distance between the school and pupils' home, they persevere in going to school in order to learn, not to mention the risk of going to school especially during bad weather conditions.
The dream to have a school in Sitio Cumalascas during early 1940's came to reality by the help of the people with the full support of Mr. Blumentrit Laserna Sr., one of the prominent residents of Sitio Cumalascas (now known as Barangay Laserna) who donated 10,000 sq. meters for the school building. Mr. Prospero Tugnao and Mr. Eriberto Talapian were the teachers during the opening of the first Grades One and Two classes. To name few of their school pupils were Dorotea Sinag, Medina Balidio, Lorena Montuya and Amelita Alvarez. In 1948, Grades Three and Four classes were opened. Their Grade Three teacher was Mr. Sumcad while in Grade Four was Mrs. Coching.
Even though the school started as Cumalascas Primary School and as a little school in a far-flung area, it remains the "School of Hope" for children who aim to learn and raise their standard of living through the indispensable help of education.
The battle and quest for basic education continuously aroused among the hearts and minds of community leaders and administrator so in the S.Y. 1966-1967 the first batch of Grade One Pupils were able to graduate and finish complete elementary basic education in the S.Y. 1971-1972 .
“Education is a continuous process”. On the very first day I was transferred as Head Teacher I at Laserna Elementary School way back August 5, 2014, I dreamed of bringing this institution a fame of success that could make difference among the lives and hearts of the community members especially among the least fortunate pupils with highest regards in education. To lessen the number of illiterates and non-numerates the community, I myself as the school leader and administrator aspired of bringing the school accessible among the learners, the very reason why Laserna Integrated School was conceptualized.
The battle began in the S.Y. 2016-2017, the P.T.A officers, barangay LGU and I myself as a School Head worked on a Joint Resolution 002, requesting the Sangguniang Bayan Members and the Municipal Council to support the quest in converting Laserna Elementary School into Laserna Integrated School. Despite the many challenges, hindrances and negativeness paced by this benevolent aspiration, wholesome support was obtained from higher authorities and Laserna Integrated School was approved on November 13, 2017.
Today, Laserna Integrated School continues to remain victorious and lives to its mandate by creating difference and helping the children achieve their individual pursuit in life.
Description of Significant Milestones
Seeds of change
When Barangay Laserna was created by the virtue of Board Resolution No. 45 series 1968 issued by the Municipal Council of Nabas and approved by the Provincial Board of Aklan, the name of the school was changed from Cumalascas Primary School to Laserna Elementary School and at the same time Grades Five and Six were opened. The school produced its first batch of graduates in 1972 as complete elementary school and among them were Cecil R. Montuya- as Second Honors and Mercidita Sinag as First Honors.
Laserna Elementary School holds its commitment to give dynamic,relevant, and quality education to enhance learners efficiency and capability, promote learners' social relations, foster learners' desire to be lifelong learners by cultivating a culture of being innovative and creative to become globally competitive individuals.
Believing in what partnership can achieve, Laserna Elementary School Teaching staff through my leadership continues to tap the help of the community through “Bayanihan” in order to uphold a learning institution that is responsive to the needs of the community locally and globally.
This was proven when Kagawad Emelina Calixtro Tejones solicited a One-Storey-Two Classroom - Building from Filipinos abroad, an answer to the congested 120 learners in Grade V occupying one classroom. In order to fulfill the construction of the said building we were asked to have Php100,000.00 counterpart on the land filling to elevate the flooring of the said building.
In this regard, emergency meeting was called and groupings of parents was done and “Bayanihan” was established and put into action. The “Red House” building is one of the historical structure that poster unity, cooperation, and oneness of internal and external stakeholders of Laserna Elementary School.
Security and ownership of the school site is very much important in this generation full of complexities and greater demands. To continuously improve the school site and to create a wholesome “Child-Friendly-School Environment”, a Resolution 001 was created through a Joint Resolution of the P. T. A. Officers, Barangay Council, and School Head requesting the Municipal Mayor through Municipal council to totally declare the ownership of the school site from Municipality ownership into School Ownership. This scenario was done after the relocation of the school site through a survey of qualified and professional surveyor in the expense of the school fund.
To make the dream for academic excellence viable, the school actively participates in teachers' and school head’s training, development skills and abilities as well as enhancing activities to deliver a basic education that lays a strong foundation for learners.
In the year of 2017 the school continues to be a catalyst of quality basic education through the dynamic leadership of the indefatigable and multi-faceted Head Teacher of the School (yours truly) with her eighteen (18) dedicated and competitive teaching staff. Until November 13, 2017, before the year ends, pursuant to Rule III, Section 3.2 of RA No. 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic education Act of 2001 and DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2014 entitled “Establishment, Merging, Conversion and Naming/Renaming of Public Schools, and separation of Public Schools Annexes in Basic Education”, the formerly, Laserna Elementary School is now Laserna Integrated School.
The school opened its doors for Junior High School Education enrolment in the 2018-2019 school year, offering Grade 7. A lot of trials were faced by the School Head just to pursue this envisioned dream that become remarkable history in the community of Barangay Laserna. This year marks the beginning of a more accessible education for the community. They are given the opportunity to attend Junior High School within the barangay, saving them transportation costs and other expenses.
Despite the fact that it was the school's first time introducing such a significant change in the lives of its students, the school remains humble while remaining competitive. The majority of students who participated in competitions, whether cultural or athletic, brought home the bacon. Janine Cuyos, who competed in the Kundiman Classical - Cultural category and won the gold medal at the provincial level, is one of the students who made a name for herself throughout the Division of Aklan. Such accomplishments had pushed Laserna IS to greater heights.
Greater obstacles, greater glories!
Not everything, however, goes as planned in every journey for the reason that a widespread and deadly pandemic astonished the country, and our school is no exception. As a result, Laserna Integrated School chose to implement the Distance Mode of Learning and followed all of the Department of Education's amended actions and protocols.
Following the pandemic that hit the Philippine Educational System in 2019, the school once again took the risk of being the first to implement the “Pilot Limited Face-to-Face Classes” in the Division of Aklan last November 15, 2021. Out of twenty-nine schools endorsed by our DepEd Region VI in the Central Office, only three schools successfully qualified the given Schools Safety Assessment Tool issued through Joint Memorandum Circular 01, s. 2021 dated September 27, 2021, by Department of Health and Department of Education, the only school in Aklan that was monitored, assisted and undergone various assessment from the Committee on Civil Defense Regional Level. This is how Laserna Integrated School was scrutinized in order to belong as one of the twenty-six schools' qualifiers throughout the Philippines.
These beautiful and successful stories of Pilot Limited Face to Face were participated by Twenty-Four learners from Kindergarten, Thirty-Two Learners from Grade One, Twenty-Nine learners from Grade Two and Twenty-Six Learners from Grade Three. These pupils were all vaccinated and complied with all the health protocols stated in crafted Action Plan.
Given the possibility of another Covid-19 surge, the school prepared the following documents for the security and safety of both students and teachers: Contingency Plan, Action Plan, M&E Tool, Observation Tool, and Daily Monitoring Attendance.
In addition, prior to the implementation, the school ensures that the triage, clinic, as well as the isolation and observation rooms, are available. Teachers repainted the wall; prepared all necessary items needed inside the classrooms; secured necessary documents required by higher offices; the School Head and and higher officials from the division level conducted “Information Prior Consent” from the elders and chieftains of different IPEd community from sitio Butong, Sitio Malindog and Sitio Hurom-hurom. Simulations with the parents, pupils, Barangay Council, Municipal Council, DRRM officials and members, Rural Health Unit, Head of Offices in the division level, and DepEd Health personnel and all other concerns were all present. On that day, LIS received generous support from: DepEd Region VI, led by Dr. Ramir B. Uytico CESO III; the Division of Aklan, led by Dr. Miguel Mac D. Aposin CESO V; the District of Nabas headed by the District Supervisor, Idy R .Pedrita, which resulted to Expanded Face-to-Face Classes. On February 8, 2022, the school was named the Most Prepared School by the Region VI.
This momentous activity and a milestone in the history of Aklan which was the only and the first Pilot Face-to-Face Implementer a midst pandemic was graced by higher authorities from the Central Office namely: Assistant Secretary Hon. G. H. S. Ambat- Assistant Secretary for Alternative Learning System, Dr. Marilette Rito Almayda Ph.D-Director IV for Bureau of Alternative Education, Dr. Ramir B. Uytico-CESO III, Dr. Miguel Mac D. Aposin, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendents, Dr. Jerson B. Labos, Ceso VI- Assistant Schools Division Superintendent and all the dignitaries from Regional Office-Region VI, and notable officials of Division Office-Aklan.
Fortunately, the latter's success had resulted in a string of accomplishments for Laserna Integrated School. During the Brigada Eskwela 2021, the school garnered the ‘Most Prepared School’ Regional Level and ‘Champion for the Best Implementing School’- District Level.
Furthermore, the school was able to complete its Junior High School enrollment from Grades 7-10 in the same year. It is another milestone in honor of Laserna Integrated School for it produces for the first time the ninety - eight completer of Secondary Education for S.Y. 2021-2022.
Due to the school's mission and vision of providing a complete, accessible, and quality education to its students, the school applied for the opening of Senior High Programs which were approved by the Regional Office on June 2, 2022- TVL and August 18,2022- GAS. This has been a tremendous opportunity for students who cannot afford pursuing Senior High School Education because of poverty or the distance to the school that offers the program.
The school also won various awards and certificates in Scouting Activities and Crew Leader Training Course, Campus and District Journalism Workshops, and sport events in district and Unit Meets. Few in the list are the Outstanding Crew Leader, Best in Crew Flag, Best in Song, and Best in Yell; Champion in Sports Writing, Champion in Photojournalism (Elementary) and First Placers in Editorial Cartooning, Science and Technology Writing, Editorial Writing, and Radio-Broadcasting.
Recently, the school has soared high in sports whilst being a rookie achieving Champions in Secondary Basketball (boys), second place in Volleyball boys and chess, and garnered seven (7) Gold medalists and twenty-one (21) total awards in athletics during the District Meet 2023 held on February 17-19, 2023. But it did not end there, LIS students proved to be exceptional in stamina and talent in the Unit IV Athletic Meet 2023 last March 2-4, 2023, which was completed by four districts in Aklan: Malay, Tangalan, Buruanga, and Nabas. LIS’ magnificent players garnered First Place in Secondary Basketball (boys) and four (4) Gold Medalists in Athletics.
Significantly, the district has given the school and its staff a number of accolades. Among other, the principal was recognized as an Outstanding Principal in the District of Nabas, some of the teachers also won significant awards and Laserna Integrated School won the Pagkilaea 2021 award for being the Most Outstanding Integrated School district level.
Stories and Narratives
Barangay Laserna is a place where Indigenous People group called “Ati – Kalibugan Tribe” are living in mountain part namely: Sitio Butong, Sitio Malindog, and Sitio Hurom-Hurom where their ancestral land they occupied inherent from their ancestors which they cultivated it as their source for living. This group of people still believing in their traditional costumes, traditions and its own culture. They still had high respect when it comes to ritual practices. They comprise forty percent of the total enrollment which is eight hundred twenty from Kindergarten to Senior High School.
The people of this barangay highly possess a skill that passing through out the generation to generation. The place is one of the top producers of different handicraft products such banig, bariw, walis tambo and nito products which is distributed in many other places.
The place is also considered a tourist spot destination because of different cold springs and resorts like Hurom-Hurom, Bungan-Bungan, Basang, Fern Valley and Sakaan which is considered as best natural creation from God which more tourist both local and international enjoyed and having fun.
Logo
- The burning torch represents the enlightenment, progress, and achievement that education can bring to each learner on their path to a bright future.
- The open book. The phases of the book reflect the two philosophies of the institution. The left side of the book with the words embedded, “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER”, represents the acquisition and expansion of knowledge in various areas of specializations and its power to control over one’s future. The left side, “EDUCATION IS LIFE”, in capital letters suggests the founding philosophy of the school which means that learning is an active process that should occur to enhance one’s living and understanding thereof.
- The open arms. The open arms at the bottom of the book implies of the people who are ready to uphold and contribute to the success and development of every learner.
- The two fronds of laurel. The Gloria Et Honor signifies inspiration for quality education.
- The rope. The rope that encircles the seal signifies the strong bond of the community and stakeholders in giving unyielding support and protection to the institution and its aspirations.
Type of Cultural Institution
Laserna Integrated School is an institution that aspires to be one of the top performing schools in the Division of Aklan. The school is committed to offering a variety of programs and activities in accordance with DepEd mandates centered on the well-being of its students. Its dedicated teachers have shared commitment to produce learners who are proficient in both academics and extracurricular activities.
The school has built “Balay Tulun-an”, a place showcases the living traditions of its Ati learners. The Balay Tulun-an also features the IP’s, books, arts, and handicrafts. Some of the teachers are IP teachers teaching both academic and School Living Traditions, a special subject for IP learners focusing on sustaining and practicing the said living traditions.
The Balay Tulun-an is a multi-purpose area where remediation classes and enrichment activities are done in daily bases. This also serves as a catalyst for educational adventure where books are located.
Being the only school in the district with both regular and indigenous students, teachers are esteemed and highly motivated to offer relevant education with the help and efforts of school’s external and internal stakeholders.
Significance
The "Barangay Laserna" (Brief Historical Background and Physical Description) In the year 1968 residents of this place kindled by the spirit of association, dynamism and leadership and determined to establish an autonomous government of their own has presented a position to the proper authority concerned by the citing Resolution #3 of R.A. No. 3590 otherwise known as Revised Barrio Charter. The late Barrio Lieutenant Mr. Blumentrit C. Laserna Sr., a resident of the place with distinction and honor, an ex-councilor of the Municipality of Nabas, spearheaded by the move for the creation of barangay Lasena, now in honor of their beloved father's name the late Simplicio S. Laserna. This barangay was created by the virtue of Resolution No. 45 series 1968 of the Municipal Council of Nabas and approved by the Provincial Board of Aklan. Upon petition of the residents of the different sitios of the said barangay to constitute themselves as a unit of government separate and distinct from the mother barangay of Gibon which compromises the Sitios of Ginab-an, Putol, Malindog, Nabasan, Butong, Napatag, Manyuko and Lahin and places bordering barangay Tagororoc on the western mountain area, places bordering Barangay Toledo on Eastern mountain area and up to the boundary with the Municipality of Libertad Antique on the south. Those aforementioned sitios and its borders constitute the juridical and territorial personality of the barangay. This barangay is a valley with mountainous area in the east, south and west and it is transverse by swift flowing stream of Cumalascas. It is also popular for its beautiful spring of Basang with cold water flowing down stream at Gibon River. It is a vast area bounded on the north by barangay Gibon: on the east by barangay Toledo: on the south boundary of Aklan and Libertad (Antique): on the west by barangay Tagororoc, located on the southwestern part of barangay Poblacion with a distance of seven (7) kilometers from barangay Poblacion.
Assessment of the Institution
Condition/Status of the institution
The once Laserna Elementary School is now Laserna Integrated School offering complete education from kindergarten to Senior High School. The school continuously develop learners’ academic and cultural skills and talents through various activities being offered in school. In addition, Ati culture is being cultivated and enriched at school to increase its sustainability and beauty.
Currently, LIS navigates the immense ocean of school development and improvement by believing in the assumption that she will not only rise above normal expectations but also go above and beyond them. The stakeholders are of the opinion that no one can stop LIS from living up to its motto, "Arangkada Laserna! ", which encourages greater aspirations and aims.
Constraints/ Threats/ Issues/ Challenges
However, Laserna Integrated School has faced significant challenges in increasing enrollment rate. In fact, there are several factors that contribute to enrollment problems in the said school, including lack of facilities and equipment, insufficient number of teachers, incomplete basic education, lack of classrooms, early child labor, and financial situation of the majority of families in the area. These factors make it difficult for students to pursue education at Laserna Integrated School or keep them enrolled.
The institution has a total number of enrollment Eight Hundred Twenty learners Hundred Twenty of in this current school year of 2022-2023.
Measures and Descriptions of Safeguarding Measures Taken
Some notable actions taken to address the issue include the school providing new opportunities to its students in 2017 by approving the provision of Senior High School education. In accordance with this, ten MSBs and two permanent teachers were hired by 2021, resolving the teacher shortage issue. During the implementation of limited face-to-face classes in November 2021, the school received attention from higher offices, allowing the later to renovate two classrooms, install internet connections, strengthen connections with internal and external stakeholders, and improve the school's physical appearance and facilities. Aside from that, it motivates the school to offer SHS programs, making LIS as one of the few schools in the Nabas district to offer a full Basic Education program. Furthermore, the School Improvement Plan projects and programs seek continuous improvement and problem solutions. The paper mentions several projects, including Pag-asa sa Pag Eskwela, Arangkada Laserna, and Magparehistro ka. One of the main objectives of these said projects is to increase school enrollment and make learning accessible to all students that is why the crafting of the later will contribute to the holistic development of the school.
The school's enrollment has greatly increased and improved over the past five years, and constantly maintained and even surpassed its prior performances. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the school's interventions, pertinent PAPs and the persistence of its dedication to the principle of “No child should be left behind”.
References
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Print, write-ups, Photographs and sketches
| KEY INFORMANTS: | RITCHEL M. DE LARA AILINE F. LAVA |
| NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER: | ROSALIE F. DELA TORRE |
| LANGUAGE EDITOR: | ANJHIELYN MAE C. CAHILIG |
| LAYOUT ARTIST: | SALVIE MARIE A. FUENTES |
| CONTENT EVALUATOR: | JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE DENNIS E. BONTOGON |
| WIKI EDITOR: | LEZELDA R. LIBERATO |
| APPROVED: | RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD Education Program Supervisor |
| DATE PROFILED: | JUNE 23, 2023 |
