Mission
Empower last mile schools with basic school supplies to close Opportunity Gaps in education.
Vision
We believe that every Filipino child must be given equal opportunity and access to basic education.
Values
We live our mission through "Sheer Volunteerism" - a value deeply ingrained in how our organization conducts itself and builds trust-based relationships with advocacy partners and beneficiary communities.
Opportunity Gap
The opportunity gap is the way that uncontrollable life factors like economic, race, language, and family situations can contribute to lower rates of success in educational achievement and learning potentials.
Closing the Gap
Why it matters
The K-12 setting is where the “Achievement or Opportunity Gap” is most often defined in a learner's life and for children from lower-income families, a study shows Opportunity Gap starts even before entering Kinder. By the time a child starts school, they're already 2-3 years behind other children in terms of learning and school readiness. If not addressed, this gap can widen over time and can cause irreversible effects on a learner's journey.
At least 35% of learners enrolling in Grade 1 are over-aged according to a World Bank study. Net Intake Rate* in Grade 1 (% of official school-age population) in Philippines was reported at 65.06 % in 2017, compared to 94.52% Gross Intake Ratio in Grade 1 of primary education.
In isolated and disadvantageous areas where we serve, Black Pencil Project observed cases of late enrollees, repeaters and chronic absenteeism; resulting in a wider Opportunity Gap. Uncontrollable life factors such as economic, race, language, family situations, natural disasters and armed-conflict can contribute to lower rates of success in educational achievement. If not addressed, this gap can widen over time and affect learners' opportunities.
Black Pencil Project believes it's critical to level the playing field at early stages of compulsory education through sustainable and equitable learning support interventions —ensuring learners in need have the right stimulation, nutrition and drive to break the cycle of poverty.
“Sama-sama nating abutin ang bawat bata sa pinakaliblib na pook sa Pilipinas; abutan sila ng lapis, hikayatin sumulat at gumuhit ng magagandang mga pangarap”
