“Lupang Pangako”: A Study on the Status of Elementary Education in Payatas

Submitted by:
ESPINO, Joseph Allen B.
MANAY, Gilberto Jr. R.
PETILOS, Ann Carlette M.
RELOJ, Elisha Marie A.
SOLLESTRE, John Adrian F.

Submitted to:
Prof. Abigail M. Enriquez

August 2, 2012

CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Despite the efforts exercised by the Government in improving the quality of education, specifically the present administration, it is still evident that there are some educational institutions, primarily those which are in the poor communities, which cannot easily adapt or cope to the educational development that the Government is trying to pursue. Citing Payatas as our subject, this study will discuss how schools in Payatas community cope with their educational problems such as overpopulation, lack of enough classrooms and facilities, scarcity of educational materials, and the inadequate ratio between teachers and students. Moreover, we would like to have a view on how a student, who is also struggling in life, manages the meager situation between school and also as a family member. We would also like to have a clearer view on what they do for a living in order to sustain their everyday needs.
Background of the Study Twenty seven of accumulated muck and filth have turned into a mountain of garbage known as the Payatas Dump. Meager opportunities attracted the poor to settle in the area producing income by scavenging the trash.
Today, more than 80,000 people live in the shanty-town that surrounds the dump. Ironically, the community is called "Lupang Pangako" which means the Promised Land.
The original Payatas Estate covered parts of the Municipalities of Montalban and San Mateo. When Quezon City was formed, more than half of the estate became part of the city.
The Quezon City government designated 23.3 hectares of the estate as a dumpsite.
When former President Fidel Ramos closed the infamous Smokey Mountain in 1993, most of the 6,500 tons of Metro Manila's daily garbage was diverted to Payatas and the neighboring San Mateo landfill. Smokey Mountain has developed into a residential and commercial area since.
In June 1998, the newly elected President Estrada was challenged by Ramos to do something about the situation in Payatas. Estrada, who considers the Payatas dumpsite an "eyesore" ordered the closure of the dumpsite in September 1998 and formed the Task Force for the Development of Payatas.
The Task Force was assigned to implement the closure and develop the area into a housing site for the scavengers to occupy.
But nothing was heard from the Task Force since it was formed. Dump trucks continued to dispose garbage in the site and absolutely no housing development was done.
On October 29, 1998, four shanties were buried by garbage, but no one was killed. However, the July 10 trash avalanche this year claimed hundreds of lives.
(http://deevio.tripod.com/mixednuts/history.html)
Statement of the Problem
General: This study aims to determine the status of Lupang Pangako Elementary School as a whole and its efficiency in educating the students.
Specific:
1. What are the actions taken by the school for it to uphold its title as an effective learning institution?
2. What activities are being done by the authorities in order to help the institution?
a) Local Government Units (LGUs)
i. Local Government in Payatas ii. Barangay officials responsible in the school area
b) National Government Agencies
i. Department of Education (DepEd)
c) Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
i. School-related partylists

3. What issues may affect the students for striving hard in learning?
a) Health issues?
b) Family issues?
c) Personal issues?
4. What way of approach does the school use in order to deal with such issues?
5. What activities must be done in order to improve the learning facility?
a) Additional rooms
b) Additional teachers
c) Extension of learning hours
d) Adjustment of educational standards
e) Improvement of way of teaching
6. What possible effects may take place if the school implements improvement?
Significance of the Study Government of Payatas. By learning a specific school condition in their territory, the government can work out specific measures that will benefit their citizens. Department of Education. A study of this kind will be vital for the department for it will serve as additional data for their own researches. Education students. Students taking up education courses will benefit from this study for they might work in a similar environment and predated ideas are very useful for them. Public and private schools. Problems researched in this study can be experienced by other schools therefore information regarding such problems can be avoided if not given solutions.
Scope and Limitation
In general, the focus of this study is directed towards the degenerate condition of an elementary school in Payatas. This study will cover the school year 2012-2013 of Lupang Pangako Elementary School.
Researchers aim to show the status quo of the students. Also, the school as a learning institution situated in this kind of community. The study is largely dependent on the willingness to participate of the proposed test subjects and resource persons and the information they possess.
The study is limited to similar schools that encounter similar difficulties. Other learning institutions, public or private, may or may not be able to relate if they are not experiencing the same issues, unlike those in the former statement.