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Tagbac Elementary School: Transformative Learning through Organic Farming

A cheerful Mrs. Emma Caballero greets us at the gates of Tagbac Elementary School in Oton, Iloilo. She excitedly announced they got a funding from Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. for a new computer facility, on top of the new classrooms being built.


So how can a small school from (an almost far-flung) barangay was able to receive such big grants from the government and private donors? Maā€™am Emma tells her storyā€¦ 

When she became part of the school back in 2003, it was the most dilapidated in Oton. ā€œWe have no electricity, we had poor water facilities and a non-functioning toilet.ā€ she recalls.


ā€œBut our worst problem was most of our students were slow readers - some even non readers.ā€ she laments. Despite the remedial classes she offered, the problem persisted. She then found out that most are children of poor farmers that go to school without breakfast on top of having poor nutrition.

ā€œMalnutrition seemed to be the root cause, so I decided to cure the stomach firstā€ she says. The school conducted a basic eco-sustainable agriculture program for the parents to apply in their respective homes ā€“ but it didnā€™t solve the problem.


ā€œI decided to introduce a new program and integrated in the school curriculum under Edukasyong Pang-Agrikulturaā€ she said. In 2005, the school started an organic farm to complement the new school agenda which was a forerunner of the Gulayan sa Paaralan program. The schoolā€™s playground was transformed into a garden where the parents cultivate the plot while the students grow and sustain the plants.

With abundant produce coming from the garden, the school had a ā€œsupervised recess programā€ where students had vegetable soups daily. ā€œParents from each grade level took turns in preparing the vegetable soupā€ she explains.


Slowly but surely her efforts paid off. Students became more active and performed better in class and in extracurricular activities.  They also placed higher in academic and non-academic contests competing with other schools. The school inched their way in the rankings among the townā€™s 16 schools ā€“ theyā€™re now in the top 5!

But she didnā€™t stop there ā€“ Maā€™am Emma continued attending various seminars on agriculture and farming. With the connections she made and learning she gained, she continued to pursue this project for the improvement of the school.  ā€œAnd when Agricultural Training Institute came in to Tagbac Elementary School, everything was historyā€ she beams. With ATI trainings in and out of the school, the garden became the schoolā€™s showcase that eventually became an income- generating attraction. 


Now, Tagbac Elementary School is one of the agencyā€™s 33 learning sites in Western Visayas. These ā€œlearning sitesā€ are ATI-accredited farms that serve as an avenue presenting the best agricultural practices and farming strategies of highly emulated farmer leaders in the region.


Based in Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan, ATI is an extension and training arm of the Department of Agriculture mandated to train agricultural workers. ATI assists in harmonizing the management of agricultural services to empower the farmers and fisher folks towards food security, poverty alleviation and social equity for sustainable development. 


The agency gives these agri sites assistance to develop their farms into knowledge avenues where farmers, students, and agriculture enthusiasts can tour the farm and get information and hands on training on various farming technologies

ATI lists the school as one of their learning sites under Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System (IDOFS) category. The school garden, which is less than 1-hectare, produces various vegetables and fruits which help supplements the schoolā€™s feeding program.


The ā€œGulayan sa Paaralanā€ boasts of black rice, tomatoes, eggplant, peppermint, lettuce, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley, cucumber and many more. The school is also into vermicomposting - a method of using worms to transform organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer called vermicast.


The sale of the ā€œworm manureā€ together with the herbs, vegetables and potted plants grown help augment their school needs. ā€œWe donā€™t collect miscellaneous fees in school as our garden produce can make ends meetā€ Ma'am Emma beams.


Select students tour visitors around the school garden ā€“ for a minimal ā€œtour feeā€. Not only they identify the herbs and other plants, they also give information about the health benefits plus how to grow and use them ā€“ medicinal or for food.


ā€œOur visitors also get to taste the specially prepared snacks and meals from our very own produceā€ she says. She shares how the teachers and students research and prepare some snacks for the visitors ā€“all coming from their own produce. ā€œWe also do some catering service on the side as part of the schoolā€™s income generation projectsā€.

Preparing the soya burger patty

With the help of the government and donors, the status of the school improved as its learners excelled in various competitions. She shared how her elementary students were able to win 1st runner-up in a culinary competition for soya-based creations, against HRM college students.

Soya Burger and Milk made from the soybeans produced in the school farm 
And last year the school was the regional winner (elementary level) in EMB-DENR search for Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.  ā€œThe awards are testaments of our sacrifices and hardwork ā€“ both for the teachers and the studentsā€ she says.


Tagbac Elementary Schoolā€™s inspiring  tale tells the story of how a small school in Oton became a model for the best practices in organic agriculture, agri-ecotourism, and health & nutrition inspiring not only other schools but also bigger farms and commercial establishments within and outside the region.


ā€œWe at Tagbac Elementary School, just donā€™t feel tired of sharing our simple know-how and giving services to everybodyā€ she ends with a cheerful smile. 

With passion and hard work, no matter how simple and small things are - success will surely come knocking at your doorstep!

/ Photo credits: Feature Iloilo by Andrea Guanco

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