To create a greater impact in its new host community, the Aboitiz Foundation is investing in the development of Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES), starting off with the turnover of refurbished computer and science laboratories in its pilot beneficiary, Taguig Elementary School.

The social development arm of the Aboitiz Group has supported the implementation of the SSES program from Grades 1 to 6 in Taguig Elementary School where more than 4,500 students are expected to benefit.

“The SSES aligns with the government’s call for science-based skills specialization among young students and is envisioned as venues where children with the natural inclination toward the sciences will be able to enrol, develop, and enhance competencies in English, Information Technology, and Math,” said Aboitiz Foundation Managing Trustee and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.

On the first year of the program, the Foundation has allocated funds for the refurbishment of both computer and science laboratories, donation of microscopes, science books, thin client system, and multimedia package for teaching enhancement.

He added that once the pilot implementation is successful, the program will be replicated in other schools that show potential in these subject areas. “There are quite a number of science high schools in the Philippines but there are very limited science elementary schools to serve as feeders for these,” he stressed.

Taguig-Pateros Schools Division Superintendent Danilo Gutierrez noted that Taguig City and Pateros emerged as among the top three performing divisions in the last National Achievement Test and he attributed this to the continued support from the private sector and the Department of Education.

Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group established in 1988 to address the social and economic development needs of marginalized members of society. It implements corporate social responsibility interventions especially in areas where Aboitiz companies are located.

For more info about the initiatives of the Aboitiz Foundation, you may visit www.aboitizfoundation.org,facebook.com/aboitizfoundation, and/or follow twitter.com/AboitizFDN.