BUTUAN CITY – Twice in every academic year, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) conducts the semestral assessment on the implementation of the Educational Assistance for the Youth in Agriculture (EAsY Agri) scholarship intervention.

With the official closing of the second semester AY 2020-2021, except for Agusan del Sur State University (then ASSCAT), the ATI-Regional Training Center (RTC) 13 gathered the grantees to discuss issues and concerns in its implementation as well as the challenges faced by the grantees on the flexible learning system through a prescribed semestral assessment form. The assessment was focused on the following aspects: school and teachers’ performance evaluation; scholars’ self-evaluation of his/her personal performance; and, the overall management of the scholarship by the host RTC.

A common issue raised by the grantees was the constraints on intermittent internet connectivity and the difficulty in getting immediate responses from their respective instructors. They also mentioned that the grades for the second semester including the enrolment schedule are not yet available.

Scholarship Point Person Mary Grace Salve disseminated the amendment to the implementing guidelines in the provision of EAsY Agri particularly on the inclusion of internet allowance and IT equipment on the grantees’ support and privileges which is subject to the availability of funds of the RTC. She also mentioned that in any cases of breach and default of the contract, the grantee may appeal for continuation or exemption from refunding financial assistance received. She emphasized that reconsideration may be granted provided that the reason for the incurrence of academic deficiency and other non-conformance to the contract agreements is found valid after the investigation and assessment of the RTC.

Salve also reviewed the responsibilities of the grantees’ obligations and responsibilities and reminded them of the submission of required reports and documents.

The activity took place during the conduct of the Seminar on Gender Sensitivity on July 14, 2021 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center.