‘75 under 75’: Mentoring program open for underperforming students

Silid-Aralan Inc. (SAI) is making a last-minute call for public school students with grades below 75 to become one of 75 learners that will join the nonprofit organization’s Ground Zero Program, which seeks to boost academic achievement.

SAI launched the “75 Under 75,” a first-of-its-kind search for the most academically challenged public school students across the country, to help them become achievers by “customizing the education to their passions, hobbies and learning style.”

SAI Founder and Chief Motivation Officer Arcie Mallari, who is also consultant to the Department of Education (DepEd), said “uplifting the lives of children and their families requires ‘malasakit’ and excellence.”

“Poor performing students, especially those who are from underprivileged communities, must be empowered to become not only achievers in school but more importantly productive citizens of our nation,” he said in a press statement.

Application is open only until today, May 12. The full mechanics are at https://www.75under75.com/.

With support from DepED, students will be selected by a board of judges composed of DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Development Diosdado San Antonio; 2012 TOYM Awardee Ivan Henares; University of the Philippines Assistant Professor; and Reynaldo Antonio Laguda, Philippine Business for Social Progress President.

Judges from the private sector include Jose Antonio Banson, Monark Equipment Co. chairman; Danielle del Rosario, Phinma Corp. vice president, chief risk officer and director for strategy; Darwin Flores, Smart Communications Inc. vice president for community partnerships; and Celia Guevara Lazaro, Transwealth Fleet and Parking Management chief executive officer.