EDUCATION

The 1987 constitution provides that “the state shall protect  and promote  the  right of all citizens to quality education  at  all levels  and shall take appropriate steps to make  such  education accessible  to all.”  This defines the vision for  the  education sector that the government seeks to achieve — fully aware of the significant   role  education  plays  both  in   the   individual development  and  improvement  of  the quality  of  life  of  the Filipino  people,  and in the country’s political  stability  and socio-economic progress. The educational needs of the residents of Kalawit is being  taken care of by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

School-Age Population

The  municipality’s school-age population is estimated  to  reach 6,411. Of  this  35.20 percent constitute  the  primary  level,  14.72  percent belong to the intermediate,  26.87 percent to  the secondary and about 23.21 percent are of the tertiary level.

Comparatively,  the number of enrollment in the primary level  is higher by 30.32 percent (982) than the actual 7-10 population.

Elementary Education

Public elementary education in Kalawit is entirely subsidized  by  the  national  government as mandated by the  Constitution.   The elementary  education  program is designed to give six  years  of basic  literacy, numeracy, thinking, and work skills  to  enhance  the children’s learning capabilities and values.  The normal  age bracket  for school-children in this level is from 7 to 12  years old.  However, the age of entry for elementary level was  lowered  to  six and 1 years old.  This means that  six-year-old  children may now be admitted to Grade 1.  Top education official  reasoned  that  it is ideal for children to go to school at an earlier  age because of the children’s high absorption capacity.

Records  show that Kalawit has a total of 18  elementary  schools. During  the  school  year  2008-2009  about  3,694  pupils  were enrolled in the primary level while 874 were in the  intermediate level.   The elementary education in Kalawit has a teaching  pool of 110 teachers.

Secondary Education

Graduates  of  the elementary course are  admitted  to  secondary course.   This  level is the continuation  of  general  education given  in  the  elementary level and serves  as  preparation  for vocational or college education.

There are  one  secondary school  operating  in  Kalawit.  This  National  High  School  is located  in  the Poblacion.  Of the total enrollment  registered during  the school year 2008-2009, 40.46 percent are enrolled  in  the  first year level, 34.11 percent second year,  17.37  percent  third  year  and  8.06 percent fourth  year.   About  30  faculty members are assigned to handle the secondary level of education.

Classroom-Student Ratio

The elementary level has a  total  of  90 classrooms,  indicating  a  ratio  of  1:44  students  for  every classroom.    This  figure  gives  us  an  impression  that   the municipality  has inadequate number of classrooms to  accommodate the  number of enrollees.  Accordingly, the  prescribed  standard set  by  the Department of Education, Culture and Sports  is  one classroom for every forty pupils.

Teacher-Student Ratio

The total elementary teaching force of Kalawit is 101 of which 76 teachers handle primary level and 25 teachers in the intermediate  level.   In  terms of teacher distribution in  both  primary  and  intermediate  level, Kalawit Central School which is  located  in  the  heart  of the Poblacion has the highest number  of  teachers..  This is so  because  the  Poblacion  has the highest number of enrollment  where  more  teachers are needed.