BUCAY, Abra (PIA) -- Fridays are sometimes called “fly days.” It is the day when students, and even employees are likely to be absent or leave the school or office early as motivation levels are already depleted, or as they look forward to the weekend. 

But for the learners of a remote barangay here, they have learned a way to beat the lazy Friday syndrome. 

"Indayon" is an Iluko term for hammock.  

“Dudua ti classroom ditoy accommodating K to 3, that’s why we established the Indayon Park, where students can de-stress, makatulong pay ti environment ken government ta makainot ti kuryente nu agklase kami ditoy ruar,” she explained.

[We have only two classrooms accommodating learners from K to 3, that’s why we established the Indayon Park where students can de-stress. It also helps the government,  and environment by conserving electricity when we hold our classes outside.] 

Parent Maribel Alagao appreciated the impact of this innovation on the children. 

“Aglalo nu Biernes, aglaladot da ta excited da ti weekend ngem idi adda activities da iti Indayon Park da, naliwliwada ket natulonganda nga agi express ti sarilida ta every Friday gamin ket  ‘No chalk day,’ Alagao said.

[Especially on Friday, the children feel lazy because they are excited for the weekend, but ever since they have activities at Indayon Park, they are  excited, and they learn  to express themselves freely because every Friday is a ‘no chalk day’.]

Ballena said their Indayon Park ‘classroom’ supports the Department of Education’s “Catch-up Fridays” program, which aims to strengthen the foundational, social, and other relevant skills of learners necessary to actualize the intent of the basic education curriculum. (CAGT-PIA Abra)