Opening the school year the APC way

Every June, APC begins a new school year. To many people, this simply marks the start of classes. For the Pulangiyēn communities that APC serves, it is also the beginning of another year of accompanying children as they develop in knowledge, character, and responsibility.

The opening of School Year 2026–2027 reflected this understanding. At APC’s two campuses in Sitio Bendum and at its connecting schools in Sitio Mindagulos, Nabawang, and Nabag-o, students, teachers, parents, and community elders gathered for a traditional opening ritual before classes formally began. The gathering reminded everyone that education is not the work of the school alone. Families, elders, teachers, and the wider community each have a role in helping children learn and mature.

This way of beginning the school year reflects how APC understands education.

Children certainly come to school to learn how to read, write, solve mathematical problems, investigate scientific ideas, and communicate in different languages. They also learn how to work with others, care for their surroundings, listen respectfully, think critically, and make responsible decisions. Together, these experiences help form young people who can serve their families and communities with confidence and integrity.

APC also recognizes that education does not happen only inside the classroom. Children learn from their parents and grandparents, from community life, and from the daily work that sustains their families. For this reason, the school calendar follows the rhythm of community life. The school year begins after the planting season and concludes before families prepare their farms for the next cycle. This allows students to continue learning in school while remaining actively involved in family and community life.

During the opening week, parents gathered with teachers and school leaders to discuss the year ahead. They reviewed school policies, student safeguarding, and the shared responsibilities of home and school. While these conversations may seem ordinary, they help build the trust that enables children to learn well.

This year, APC welcomed nearly 400 learners across its Bendum campuses and connecting schools. Some children come from nearby communities, while others travel from more distant villages to attend classes. Each learner brings unique experiences, abilities, and aspirations. Together, they form one learning community supported by teachers, families, elders, and partners who believe that every child deserves an education that is both academically sound and rooted in the realities of community life.

For more than 30 years, APC continues to grow alongside the communities it serves. While educational policies and curricula continue to evolve, the school’s purpose remains the same: to accompany young Pulangiyēn as they develop the knowledge, skills, values, and confidence to contribute to the life of their communities and to the wider society.

As another school year begins, APC is grateful for the trust of families, the guidance of community elders, the dedication of its teachers and staff, and the generosity of partners and friends whose continued support makes it possible for another generation of Pulangiyēn children to learn, flourish, and discover how they can contribute to the future of their people and their communities.