SM Prime through the SM Foundation recently turned over a two-storey, four-classroom school building to the Balatong Elementary School in Pulilan, Bulacan.
It is the first school building donated by SM to the municipality but the 89th donated by SM Prime through SM Foundation, for a total of 284 classrooms nationwide since SMFI started its school building program in 2002.
The new school building is fully furnished with 200 armchairs that include 20 chairs for left-handed students, earning for SM Foundation the distinction of being the only company that provides such amenities for southpaw students.
The armchairs were built by persons with disabilities of the Foundation of These-abled, instilling in them self-pride and self-esteem.
Each classroom is also equipped with a set of teacher’s table and chair, four wall fans, two blackboards, a wall clock, and a toilet, including a ramp and toilet for PWDs.
The new school building follows the Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications in the design of DepEd school buildings to ensure the comfort and safety of their would-be occupants.
Balatong Elementary School is the only school servicing three barangays: Barangay Balatong, Penabatan, and Tenejero, with a student population of 1,173.
With the new school building, the classroom-to-student ratio of 1:50 will improve to 1:46. Grade 5 students will utilize the new classrooms, school officials said.
Pulilan Mayor Maria Rosario Ochoa Montejo attended the inauguration and turnover ceremonies and gave an inspirational message.
Also gracing the affair were SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Carmen Linda Atayde; SM Sangandaan Mall Manager Engr. Emmanuel Gatmaitan; Engr. Jeffrey Sayo of SM Center Pulilan; Monica Cunan of SM Baliwag; Balatong Elementary School Principal 1 Michelle M. Sollestre; PTA President Rolando L. Cruz; and the Department of Education’s Michael Dela Cruz.
Government is mandated to provide free education and with DepEd’s policy not to refuse any child the right to education amid a growing student population, classroom shortage is more felt.
While the perennial classroom shortage every school year is being addressed by government, local government units and private institutions such as SM Prime and SM Foundation are lending their full support to improve the learning environment by donating school buildings and renovating dilapidated ones.