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Digital divide hampers PISA performance
To write is to anchor change and steer progress Vol.3 No.1| •The Official Publication of Sta. Maria National High School• Division of Zamboanga del Norte•Region IX• September 2024-January 2025
by EDRIANN SAPAAT
Students at Sta. Maria National High School (SMNHS) faced challenges during the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) due to the shortage of laptops, hindering simultaneous participation. Among the 61 testtakers, the highest score was 7, and the lowest was 1, highlighting the need to improve students’ access to digital technologies.
Photo by Nicole Alih
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Families displace in Brgy. Sta. Maria due to severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’
Severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ destroys 10 houses in Sta. Maria
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Student passed PISA postassessment at Sta. Maria NHS, out of 65 test-takers
by JANNHILL LAYSAM
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Severe tropical storm “Kristine” caused significant damage to coastal areas in Sta. Maria, Siocon, ZDN, destroying 10 houses and leaving families displaced. “Biglang tumagilid po ang aming bahay at ito po ay tuluyan ng natumba at nawasak ng malakas nang hangin at alon,” affected resident Maricel Cullan said. She also emphasized that they did not receive any warning from the barangay officials. Meanwhile, the affected residents are still hopeful for relief funds from the Local Government Unit (LGU). “Ang aksyon na aming nagawa ay ang kunin po ang ang kanilang pangalan at kunan ng litrato ang kanilang bahay para i turnover namin sa DSWD,” Brgy. Kagawad Sarri Cailo said. Currently, the displaced residents are sheltering with neighbors and relatives as they work towards recovery. Furthermore, the extent of the damage is being evaluated to determine the resources needed to rebuild the destroyed houses. Local authorities are seeking assistance from higher agencies and officials to expedite recovery efforts following the storm.
Test-takers scored 1 out of 13 items on PISA
Priest conducts blessings at school after ‘possession’ case
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BALANCING SCHOOL AND SURVIVAL. Despite the increasing tensions surrounding child labor, 12-year-old “Dodong” ( not his real name), who should be inside the classroom doors of Sta. Maria National High School, finds himself fishing to support his family, struggling in poverty. Photo by RADZMALYN ATIF
GOV’T AID FALLS SHORT 65 students in Sta. Maria NHS still forced into child labor despite 4Ps aid
PARENTS RESIST SHOTS NEWS | PAGE 3
BEYOND POSSESSION SCIENCE | PAGE 12
rspc2024 In RSPC2024, The Port secured 5th place in Best News Section
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ccording to the records from the school registrar and guidance counselor, 65 students aged 15 and below of Sta. Maria National High School (SMNHS) faced the reality of adulthood at an early age despite the support from 4ps.
These students spent unpredictable hours and limitless days in labor-intensive work, resulting in physical and mental exhaustion at school and creating a significant drop in their academic performance. FISHING FOR SURVIVAL Dodong (not his real name) , a 12-year-old grade-7 student shared his struggle in balancing his studies and part-time job, where he spent more than 8 hours a day fishing just to help his mother and sustain his studies. “Kailangan ko pong magtrabaho dahil wala pong pambili ng bigas dahil wala na po akong tatay, umaasa lang po kami sa 4Ps,” he said. “Minsan hindi na po ako nakakapasa ng aking mga assignments dahil sa kulang sa tulog at ang aking mga nakukuha sa mga tests ay bumababa,” he added. “Kung sana lang kagaya ako ng ibang bata na nag-aaral lang pero kailangan kong unahin ang tiyan para hindi kami magutom,” he emphasized.
On Sunday morning, December 22, a priest conducted a blessing at the school following an incident where six students suffered from spirit ‘possession’ last Tuesday, December 17. Parish Priest Fr. Salvador Silim led the ceremony in the school’s buildings where the possession occurred. In addition, the priest announced that all Catholic students and teachers will recite the rosary before the start of morning classes.
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by JANNHILL LAYSAM
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by JANNHILL LAYSAM
POVERTY FUELS CHILD LABOR According to Ilaiza Muloc, a registered social worker and Project Development Officer II/Municipal Link for Brgy. Sta. Maria, there are 7,657 students in Siocon currently monitored as beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). However, despite this support, 285 of these students in Siocon are identified as child laborers. “Isa sa mga isyung kinakaharap kung bakit may child labor ay ang isyu ng kahirapan at kakulangan pinansyal,” she said. “Ang layunin ng DSWD program ay tumugon para sugpuin ang kahirapan. Maraming programa ang DSWD na nakalaan makatulong para puksain ang kahirapan. Isa na rito ang 4Ps, kung saan ang main goal ng programa is to alleviate poverty.” Muloc added. Despite these efforts, many families still face struggles and a lack of finances, making their children work even more to support and contribute to their family income.
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7,657 4Ps beneficiaries in Siocon, 285 children have been identified as laborers
92% In Sta. Maria NHS, 60 out of 65 students are below average in academic performance
84% 55 were identified as exhibiting chronic absenteeism