Teachers and students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) of Antique will be prioritized when it comes to educational assistance and other forms of support.

This was assured by Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay during the Committee on Education hearing to tackle the published research study of the University of Antique (UA) –Tario Lim Memorial Campus in Tibiao titled “Challenges Faced by Teachers Assigned to GIDA Within the Province.”

Dimamay, chair of the committee, said she will sponsor a resolution in response to the study recommendation of providing support to the educational development of GIDA teachers.

“I will sponsor a resolution that would give priority to teachers, including even students, in terms of the educational assistance being provided by the provincial government,” she said during the hearing.

She said they need assistance to pursue post-graduate studies for professional development.

Students, she said, need help to earn a college degree for their lives to improve once they complete their degrees.

The provincial government provides PHP10,000 educational assistance to post-graduate students annually, which they could use to comply with school requirements.

Board Member Fernando Corvera said having post-graduate degrees would make GIDA teachers competitive with their counterparts assigned in the lowland areas.

“We will also work out with the Commission on Higher Education or the Department of Education for the teachers assigned in GIDA areas to also be given the opportunity after five years for them to be assigned in the lowland or nearby schools in the town proper,” Corvera also said during the hearing.

University officials also sought additional teaching resources and facilities that they could use. (PNA)