MINERVA BC NEWMAN
SAN REMIGIO, Cebu – The Municipality of San Remigio in Cebu received two new three-story school buildings to Dapdap Elementary School and Mano Integrated School from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. through its Education Development Unit (RAFI EDU) on June 27 as the schools geared up for face-to-face learning once again.
Since 2004, RAFI EDU has been rehabilitating classrooms and providing school facilities for schools in Cebu. It reported that as of 2020, there were 2,040 classrooms built benefiting 70,000 learners each year.
This collaborative infrastructure program in partnership with the local government unit of the Municipality of San Remigio, and the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to replace the old classrooms with better and safer learning spaces.
“We’re very happy when we heard RAFI will give this school building because one of our major problems here in our school is lack of classrooms,” she explained.
As the number of students increases, resources like classrooms were spread very thinly in Dapdap Elementary school. Four classes do not have their own classrooms and were forced to occupy makeshift classrooms, and even tents, to continue providing and supplementing learning for the students, RAFI noted.
“We are so blessed because we were chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this building. When the DILG visited our school, they advised us to vacate the PTA building but we didn’t have any choice because we had no other classrooms, and we even had to utilize our school clinic. One building was divided into three, not spacious enough and not conducive for learning,” Cabatana narrated.
Students from grades four to six of Dapdap Elementary School can now look forward to a new learning environment, ready to welcome them for some fun learning. The teachers on the other hand can now easily create an encouraging and positive atmosphere for their students, RAFI said.
“Manghulam mi ug classroom. (We borrow classroom) Ang usa ka classroom gi tunga namo (We divided one classroom into two classes) due to the scheduling caused by COVID. A child has limitations in terms of movement and participation in the teaching and learning process because they are occupying another classroom. Dili kaayo sila kapagawas kaayo sa ilang mga talents tungod kay gamay ang classroom. Ang mga bata makafeel pod na luoya namo wala mi classroom.” (The students couldn’t express well because they feel they don’t belong here.) Makipig shared.
Makipig is glad that they finally have a better learning environment where students are more equipped as they move up to another year, and the possibility of more junior high school enrollees or transferees from other schools and their neighboring barangays.
Makipig shared some experiences. This situation has been difficult not only for learning but also during school activities like card distribution and how the new classrooms and their design will positively impact and aid students to focus and absorb more lessons and topics.
It will also be easier for teachers to implement versatile teaching strategies and effectively reach and teach their students.
"It takes a village to raise a child," as the saying goes, which holds true with this school building
turnover. RAFI EDU with its partner barangays, government agencies, and stakeholders were able to raise the morale of the current students creating ripples of hope not only for them but also the future generations to come.
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