One for Education!
The Australian government, DepEd, and Philippine Business for Social Progress
partner to build schools in Bohol
At the San Miguel Central Elementary School, many students are unable to go to school or remain there for various reasons. Some don’t have food and transportation while others are affected by family problems. There are also the mischievous ones who cut classes to play computer games!
Add to this are the dilapidated and congested classrooms which make it harder for the students to concentrate on their lessons.
Fortunately, the students’ enthusiasm and appreciation for education would get a big boost when the three-classroom building from the Australian government rises in their school next year.
HEEDING THE CALL
The school building donation is a joint project of the Australian Government, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and the Department of Education.
Top officials from the Australian Embassy in Manila, DepEd, and PBSP will lead the groundbreaking rites dubbed “BEST (Basic Education Sector Transformation) and Bayanihang Pampaaralan: One for Bohol Education!” on October 1 at the San Miguel Central Elementary School in San Miguel, Bohol.
The project is the private sector’s response to DepEd’s urgent call to address the classroom shortage in the country, and to help rebuild or renovate the damaged school buildings in disaster-stricken areas.
The BEST program steps up PBSP’s Bayanihang Pampaaralan campaign through a AUD$15 million funding for the construction of 252 classrooms in Regions 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and the National Capital Region, with potential to grow in the future.
With a total funding assistance of A$150 million (PHP6 billion) over six years, the BEST program’s major aim is to improve teaching and learning quality, access to education, and to strengthen systems. It supports the Philippine Government’s ambitious K-to-12 reform agenda, and will benefit more than eight million students in nearly 19,000 public schools.
In Bohol, nine classrooms will be built over a five-month period. The classrooms will be built in San Miguel, the area identified by the local government as a safe-to-build zone. Aside from San Miguel Elementary School, other beneficiary schools are Cambagay Elementary School, Cagaway Elementary School, and Tomoc Elementary School.
“Australian aid aims to promote prosperity, reduce poverty and enhance stability in the region,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell.
“As the primary driver of economic growth, the private sector is an invaluable partner in supporting these goals. We are pleased to be working with PBSP and its members as we invest in quality education in the Philippines. Education can help reduce poverty and can empower citizens to help build a prosperous Philippine economy. Our partnership with PBSP is an example of how, through private sector engagement, we can strengthen government partnerships and promote people-to-people links,” Ambassador Tweddell added.
The school building comes with disaster resilient features and includes armchairs, teachers’ tables, separate toilet for girls and boys, ramps for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), water system, and capacity-building trainings for Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), and Local School Boards.
IN DIRE NEED OF FACILITIES
San Miguel Central ES Principal Agea S. Flor said that their dilapidated school buildings sustained minor cracks on the walls due to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol last October 15. Aside from that, termites also thrive on the ceilings, walls, and corners of some of their buildings, making it more dangerous for the students.
The school lacks the necessary facilities for its 625 student population who endure the poorly ventilated and crowded classrooms every day.
“We don’t have facilities. We don’t have a library, guidance counseling room, gym, and even a stage. Our multipurpose function room where we conduct our school activities does not even have a wall, so the kids get wet when it rains,” said Flor.
Despite these conditions, Teacher Winefreda R. Tatad, had been trying to get her students to be more engaged in her English and MAPE lessons through the use of visual aids. However, the interest of the students continues to wane due to the heat and cramped spaces in their classrooms.
GETTING THEM EXCITED TO GO TO SCHOOL
Nevertheless, the school community has high hopes for the new school building.
Tatad, for one, is confident that the students will have renewed interest in their studies with the provision of additional facilities.
“The new building will be more conducive to learning. The students will be more encouraged to study if they are comfortable, and their performance will improve. Because of this, I’m certain that the school performance rating in the NAT will also increase. School enrolment will also increase,” she said.
Meanwhile, the school principal is already excited with the many things that she can do when the school building is completed. Her plans include transferring the Grades 5 and 6 classes to the new building, and converting the old classrooms into a guidance counseling room, clinic, library, conference room, and multipurpose room.
“Where there is a calamity, we can even use the new school building as an evacuation center not just for students but for the community,” Flor said.
San Miguel Central Elementary School PTA head Rodel Dielin believes that this generosity from the Australian government will serve as a good example for others who want to help, and hopefully inspire their alumni association to also create fundraising programs for the school.
“We are poor so education is the only wealth that we can pass on to our children. I believe that this donation will serve as a model to our alumni and hopefully inspire them to also help the school,” said Dielin.
Grade 6 student Mhardy Ricabo is among those excited to see the completion of the school building. She sees it as a big help to her education, and one of the means to fulfill her dream.
“I want to be a nurse so I can take care of the sick. I think this new classroom will help me achieve my dreams. I will be able to study well, and comfortably. I also won’t have to fear whenever there is an aftershock because the building is strong and safe. We will have peace of mind, and we will be more excited to go to school,” said Ricabo.