Mandaue City, Cebu – The Aboitiz Group will embark on the development of science elementary schools and technical-vocational high schools as part of its new education directive as it celebrates its 25th year of helping people help themselves.

The Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the social development arm of the group, announced this during the annual ‘Interventions in Education’ program where it formally presented to the Department of Education (DepEd) all its education related projects for the current year.

“As Aboitiz Foundation is now trying to refocus its projects in education to create more impact in our communities, the lack of science schools presents a good opportunity for intervention. This is yet another bold step toward better access to public school education,” said foundation President Jon Ramon Aboitiz.

“We envision Science elementary schools as venues where children with a natural inclination and talent toward the sciences will be able to enroll, develop and enhance competencies in English, Math, and Information Technology,” he added.

The development of technical-vocation schools, on the other hand, which will be in collaboration with DepEd and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will aid the government’s K and 12 program by teaching skills that are viable for employment after graduation, or part-time work to support further studies.

The Interventions in Education is one of the most important events of the year for the Foundation as it gives recognition to all the stakeholders that have been instrumental in making the Aboitiz Foundation’s education initiatives a success.

It is also where the foundation symbolically renews its commitment in further uplifting the education system in the country through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing for the Adopt-A-School Program between the 24 contributing business units of Aboitiz and DepEd.

Close to 1,500 Aboitiz Foundation scholars and all beneficiary school recipients, local government officials, DepEd personnel, project partners and the parents of the scholars are present during the event  held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Also present to witness the program are the project partners who share the same principle with Aboitiz Foundation, the LGU’s, other NGO’s, and government line agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Commission on Higher Education and TESDA.

In 2012, the Aboitiz Foundation together with the companies under the Aboitiz Group, spent  a total of Php260 million for education initiatives such as  construction of school buildings, classroom re-wirings, refurbishment of science and computer laboratories, scholarships and financial assistance, computer and library kit donation, among others.