San Remigio, Cebu receives 2 new school buildings from RAFI MINERVA BC NEWMAN

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.

RAFI said these new school buildings will benefit 300 students with more spaces since the classroom is a learner’s home away from home.  It becomes home to learning, growth, and discovery. Safe and conducive learning environments are critical for a learner’s development and growth.

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.

Juvelyn Cabatana, Grade 5 teacher and one of the occupants of the new building in Dapdap Elementary School said, the new school building is truly an answered prayer. She shared how this new and efficient learning environment will address the limitations and difficulties in teaching and learning.

“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.

Lomer Makipig, Grade 8 teacher at Mano Integrated School expressed his happiness to know that they also have a new building because like Dapdap elementary School, Mano Integrated School was no different. Junior high school students took their classes in makeshift classrooms before the pandemic started. Teachers and students occupied other small empty rooms and one classroom made of light materials.

“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.