Children’s success depends on more than what happens inside the classroom. By engaging parents, local leaders, businesses, faith groups, volunteers, and alumni, schools can build stronger support systems that help learners thrive.
This was the focus of the Year 3 Principals Training under Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building, an educator development program by Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) and the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED).
Held in Iloilo, the training gathered 22 public school principals from across the country to explore how meaningful community partnerships can help address challenges affecting learners’ academic performance, well-being, and school participation.
Through stakeholder mapping, case studies, workshops, and peer learning sessions, participants examined how trust, shared goals, and collaboration can strengthen relationships between schools and their communities.
Melissa Aquino, Trustee and Corporate Secretary of SBFI, emphasized the importance of treating communities as active partners rather than simply sources of funding or volunteer support.
“The community is not just an ATM or a source of support. It is a partner. The child belongs not only to the school, but to all of us,” Aquino said.
The program encouraged principals to develop long-term partnerships that allow community members to contribute meaningfully to student success. Guided by Dr. Joseph Dela Cruz, Director IV of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), participants created Community Engagement Plans tailored to their schools’ needs.
Rona May Esperanzate Cruz of Ricardo Viola Adriano Elementary School plans to engage Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, alumni, parents, religious groups, and private partners as reading volunteers and mentors through the KABSAT Learning Teams initiative.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hanena Epino of Datu Andiam National High School aims to address absenteeism by building a support network involving school personnel, peer mentors, barangays, and local government partners.
While their priorities vary, both initiatives reflect the value of bringing communities together to address education challenges.
Through Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building, SBFI and ACED continue to support school leaders in strengthening community engagement and developing partnerships that contribute to learners’ long-term success.
