The classes of some 8,000 high school students from two public schools in Manila were suspended yesterday over the confusion on whether to hold classes in the old school compounds or the controversial new school buildings.
Pedro Arao, administrative officer of the Manila Division of City Schools (MDCS), said the first day of classes at the Rajah Soliman High School (RSHS) and Jose Abad Santos High School (JAHS) along Calle Reina Regente and General La Lambre Street in Binondo were cancelled yesterday.
Manila Mayor elect Alfredo Lim, who would assume the position on July 1, visited the two schools and asked the parents which site they preferred. They were given the option to choose between the old school buildings in Binondo or at the newly constructed school buildings along Numancia Street and Urbiztondo Street, San Nicholas also in Binondo. The students, parents and teachers favored the old site.
Lim said the students, their parents and teachers preferred staying in the old building because it is more accessible and is only one block away from their houses.
The old school compounds also offered better security since they are located near a police sub-station. The mayor hinted that there might have been an attempt to sabotage one of the schools.
He said that three weeks ago, there was fire at the JAHS that originated at room 307 on the third floor. The Manila Fire Department (MFD) is allegedly eyeing arson because the room and building were padlocked when the fire broke out. Found on the floor were several documents, a candle and a match. Arao, however, is optimistic that missing out the first day of classes would not result to major setbacks on the estimated 3,000 students of RSHS and about 5,000 students of JAHS.
“They would not be left far behind because usually day one is mostly orientation, there is not much significant classroom instruction,” he said. The opening of classes in the 71 public elementary and 33 public high schools reportedly went on smoothly and was only marred by the suspension of classes in the two mentioned educational facilities in Binondo. Arao said that the position of the MDCS regarding the confusion over the school site is to get further instructions from the education secretary.
Mayor Lim said he would talk to Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz. “We will leave it to them to settle this,” Lim said. But as of press time yesterday, Arao said they have not received any feedback on how the two officials would resolve the issue. He hopes that there would be an answer today.