PARTNERSHIP. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) and Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez, president and chancellor of the University of St. La Salle, show the memorandum of agreement for the Project FREE or Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence-Paglaum Program Batch 4 signed at Santuario de La Salle in Bacolod City on Monday (Oct. 14, 2024). The program’s latest edition offers post-graduate scholarships for up to 600 public school teachers in the province starting Nov. 16. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has renewed its partnership with the University of St. La Salle (USLS) to offer post-graduate scholarships for up to 600 public school and diocesan teachers in the province starting Nov. 16.
The initiative is being implemented under the Project FREE or Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence-Paglaum Program along with the Department of Education, and the Commission on Higher Education.
The latest collaboration covers the fourth batch of teachers given the opportunity to pursue masteral or doctoral degrees since the program started in 2020 under the administration of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Karen Dinsay, head of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division, said on Tuesday the provincial government will pay for the 500 slots while the remaining 100 slots will be shouldered by the USLS.
“We hope this program will continue to help our public school teachers achieve the pinnacle of their profession,” she added.
For the latest batch of scholars, the provincial government has allotted PHP24.510 million.
Lacson signed the memorandum of agreement with USLS president and chancellor Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez during the launching held at Santuario de La Salle on Monday.
“This landmark initiative in partnership with USLS reflects the shared vision of a future where schools are led by individuals equipped with the skills and passion necessary to make the educational system responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing and evolving world,” he said.
The governor said he firmly believes in the potential of the Negrense's talent and capacity.
“With proper opportunities and skills enhancement, Negrense students can rise to the challenges posed by modernization and globalization,” he said.
Severino, in turn, underscored the similar values and mission of the province and the university that affirm and strengthen education.
“Education is building the future of this city, this province and this region,” he added.
Under the Project FREE, post-graduate degree programs include Master in Education, Master of Science in Guidance Counseling, and Master of Arts in Education as well as Doctor of Philosophy. (PNA)
