Classroom backlog filled by 2013 (Philippines)

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 MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Armin Luistro remains hopeful the backlog in the education system, particularly the lack of classrooms, would be addressed this coming school year 2012 to 2013—the deadline given by President Benigno Aquino III when he assumed position in 2010.

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“With all the help that we get in resolving our shortages in classrooms, we remain confident that the current target will be met this school year,” Luistro said during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Department of Education (DepEd), Deutsche Bank, SM Foundation, Inc. and BDO Foundation, Inc. and SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

The DepEd has partnered with the SM group and financial firm for the construction of 11 school buildings or total of 22 classrooms. According to SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, the construction of the school buildings will roll out in the first quarter of this year. “We are hoping to complete the construction before the year ends," she said.

The MoA aims to help address the classroom shortage in public schools.

The beneficiaries for this partnership are Banisil National High School, General Santos City, Malinta Elementary School, Cavite, Communal Elementary School, Davao city, GSC SPED Integrated School, General Santos City, San Nicolas Integrated School, Pampanga, San Isidro Integrated School, Pampanga, Sampaloc II Elementary School, Quezon, San Manuel Elementary School, Bulacan and Tanza Elementary School, Navotas City.

Luistro said that despite all the partnerships on resolving the classroom shortages in public schools, "the resource gap is so huge that any help from other sectors especially the private businesses is welcome."

The agreement between DepEd and SM Prime calls for the construction of one two-storey, four-classroom school building with toilets in Dasmarinas in Cavite.

Also, six one-storey, two-classroom school buildings with toilet will be constructed -- one each in Davao City and General Santos City; two in Pampanga; one in Sariaya, Quezon, and one in Cebu City.

“The donation will also include armchairs, teachers' tables and chairs, wall fans, blackboards and signage," said SM Foundation Assistant Vice President Carmen Linda Atayde. The total cost of the project is P10.8 million.

Meanwhile, P2.150 million each was pooled by SM Prime and Deutsche Bank to build a one-storey, two-classroom unit in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and a two-storey, four-classroom unit in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City.

The BDO Foundation and SM Prime, on the other hand, is set to build a P2.2-million one-storey, four-classroom school building with toilets plus armchairs, teachers' table and chair, wall fans, blackboards and signage for students in General Santos City.

Luistro said that all these will fall under DepEd's Adopt-A-School Program, “one of our most effective and creative ways of enjoining private sector participation in public education.”

As of last year, DepEd estimated the classroom shortage at 66,000. Luistro said that 30,000 classrooms are expected to be built before the year 2012 ends. The construction of the remaining 20,000 classrooms is scheduled in the first quarter of 2013.

source: Manila Bulletin

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