The days of rigid work and sleepless nights  have finally paid off when  students of the Dagupan City National High School  (DCNHS) passed a national exam that could qualify them for a part time job or even start a business venture. 

Teacher  Jacqueline Melendez,  who handles the Accountancy, Business  and Management (ABM) strand of the Senior High School class, couldn’t be happier when all her 19 mentees passed the National Certificate III  on Bookkeeping.

“We decided to  initiate   the Tulong-Dunong  Program which aims to prepare the students and help them qualify for the NC III assessment,” Melendez told the Philippine Information Agency.

Inspired by the heads of the school and approved by the Dagupan City government, Teacher Jacqueline embarked  on a tutorial session with the students in two batches to adhere to the minimum health protocols.

They had 10 sessions of face-to-face review in two batches, virtual sessions and three scheduled assessment dates.

 With the help of the Bautista  Educational Skills Training and Assessment Centre, Inc., based in Sta. Barbara town, headed by Zenaida Bautista and the Assessor of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Dr. Babylet Veloria, the road to success is slowly seeing the red light. 

But another concern  arose, this time the assessment fees of the students and their allowance for the review and exams. 

This time, the officers and members of the Parents-Teachers  Association (PTA)  of DCNHS headed by its president,  Liway Yparraguirre and some members of the Dagupan City Council,   came into the picture with their monetary support out of their own pockets. 

With the assessment fees raised and travel allowance covered,  the students now only need to study real hard to pass the test.  

Since it is the pandemic period, only 10 examinees per exam day are allowed.  The students hurdled five gruelling hours of examination before the result was announced. 

And voila!! All 19 of them surpassed the 75 percent passing rate with majority of them earning 80-90 percent passing mark. 

Bookkeeping Assessment passers Jeorell Capua, Jefie Marc De Vera, John Marc Gregorio, Clark Aldrin Munoz, John Mari  Neri, Mar Jofel Pagudon, Jake Ryan Siapno, Jenelyn Agas, Maricris Callanta, Yvhanna Cayabyab, Kristine Decano, Danica Ibanez, Jhenery Honrado, Owen Rose Garcia, Janelle Joy Lomibao, Hannah Jane Martinez, Altheah Olchondra, Fatima Tuliao and Rose Ann Ugaban, comprise the first batch of the school-initiated  assessment. 

The NC III certification has a five-year validation period  and is valid in the time-frame for a four-year course in Accountancy in College. 

“Masayang-masaya po kami na nakapasa  and hindi napo kami magte-take ng Bookkeeping assessment test sa college at nakuha po namin ng libre. Salamat po sa lahat ng tumulong,” the passers said. 

PTA president Yparraguirre said the NC III certification in Bookkeeping can be used to find a part time job as bookkeepers. 

“If they cannot continue with college for economic reasons, they can use their knowledge and certificates in getting a part time job   or in starting  their own business,”  the PTA president said.

As for Teacher Jacqueline  who led a free review program for the students,  gratitude overflows in her heart.

“Lahat ng review lessons that I handled were given  to them for free. Tulong ko na sa  kanila, Sabi ko, ang bayad nila ay ang ipasa nila ang assessment test. And they all did!” Melendez quipped.

The rest, as they say, is a 100-percent passing rate history! (JCR/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)