The 1987 constitution provides that “the state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.” This defines the vision for the education sector that the government seeks to achieve — fully aware of the significant role education plays both in the individual development and improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino people, and in the country’s political stability and socio-economic progress. The educational needs of the residents of Kalawit is being taken care of by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
The municipality’s school-age population is estimated to reach 6,411. Of this 35.20 percent constitute the primary level, 14.72 percent belong to the intermediate, 26.87 percent to the secondary and about 23.21 percent are of the tertiary level.
Comparatively, the number of enrollment in the primary level is higher by 30.32 percent (982) than the actual 7-10 population.
Public elementary education in Kalawit is entirely subsidized by the national government as mandated by the Constitution. The elementary education program is designed to give six years of basic literacy, numeracy, thinking, and work skills to enhance the children’s learning capabilities and values. The normal age bracket for school-children in this level is from 7 to 12 years old. However, the age of entry for elementary level was lowered to six and 1 years old. This means that six-year-old children may now be admitted to Grade 1. Top education official reasoned that it is ideal for children to go to school at an earlier age because of the children’s high absorption capacity.
Records show that Kalawit has a total of 18 elementary schools. During the school year 2008-2009 about 3,694 pupils were enrolled in the primary level while 874 were in the intermediate level. The elementary education in Kalawit has a teaching pool of 110 teachers.
Graduates of the elementary course are admitted to secondary course. This level is the continuation of general education given in the elementary level and serves as preparation for vocational or college education.
There are one secondary school operating in Kalawit. This National High School is located in the Poblacion. Of the total enrollment registered during the school year 2008-2009, 40.46 percent are enrolled in the first year level, 34.11 percent second year, 17.37 percent third year and 8.06 percent fourth year. About 30 faculty members are assigned to handle the secondary level of education.
The elementary level has a total of 90 classrooms, indicating a ratio of 1:44 students for every classroom. This figure gives us an impression that the municipality has inadequate number of classrooms to accommodate the number of enrollees. Accordingly, the prescribed standard set by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports is one classroom for every forty pupils.
The total elementary teaching force of Kalawit is 101 of which 76 teachers handle primary level and 25 teachers in the intermediate level. In terms of teacher distribution in both primary and intermediate level, Kalawit Central School which is located in the heart of the Poblacion has the highest number of teachers.. This is so because the Poblacion has the highest number of enrollment where more teachers are needed.