LEMERY, Batangas—SM Prime Holdings, through the SM Foundation, last week opened its second disabled-friendly public school building that it donated and will be used by Grade 5 students of the Lemery Pilot Elementary School.
The first such PWD-friendly structure was built by SM Foundation in Ormoc City.
The two-story, four-classroom school building was turned over last Sept. 15 to top officials of Lemery Pilot and the local Department of Education executives.
The ceremonies included the handing of the ceremonial key to school principal Ma. Teresa Caringal and DepEd officials by SM Foundation’s Debbie P. Sy and Linda Atayde, SM Regional Operations Manager Cid Victoria, and Linda Gabriel, SM Lemery Mall Manager, representing SM Prime Holdings.
Lemery Pilot ES has distinguished itself from other state primary schools in that it had produced multi- awarded faculty, principals, and students in various subjects throughout the years, which resulted in its being the first choice by DepEd in piloting new programs and curricula for introduction nationwide.
As with most other SM donations, the building comes fully furnished with wall fans, desks and teacher’s tables, blackboards, cabinets for books, desks for left-handed pupils, and a toilet per classroom, unlike schools built years ago, which only had a room of four toilet-cubicles on each wing.
It also has ramps for people with disabilities leading to a toilet on the ground floor, as most PWDs are asked to stay only on the ground floor.
SM usually orders its armchairs from the Foundation of the These-Abled, which supplies all the desks and tables for use in the school buildings the foundation builds.
“We just don’t donate, but we build the self-pride and self-esteem of the disabled with the chairs they make,” said Sy, SM Foundation Executive Director.
The current student population of Lemery Pilot Elementary School is 2,900, spread over a compound of over three hectares, which also has a cemented replica of scenic spots in the country on its grounds.
The school is well-maintained and could very well be a showcase of what constitutes an outstanding school atmosphere for other public school systems to emulate.
As with most of its donations, SMFI does maintenance for the buildings it donates, so that they won’t go to waste after several years, Sy said. Repairs and repainting of the structures are shouldered by SMFI to ensure they remain in good condition at all times, she added.