Valenzuela allots P225 M for school buildings

MANILA, Philippines - The Valenzuela City government allotted P225 million for the construction of modern public school buildings, officials said yesterday.

Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said the city government “puts a premium” on education by prioritizing such infrastructure projects. Ahna Mejia, Gatchalian’s public information officer, said that at least 50 new classrooms worth P77.513 million, funded through the Local School Board, were completed in time for the opening of classes last month.

According to architect Benjamin Gamaro of the City Engineering Office’s Planning and Project Management for school buildings, 49 other classrooms, worth P61.778 million are nearing completion and plans for the construction of 50 more classrooms worth P85.263 million are in the final stages.

Antonio Luz, Valenzuela City Department of Education officer, said the project aims to reduce the student-to-classroom ratio to an ideal 45:1 for elementary and 50:1 for secondary schools.

Luz said the city currently has a ratio of 48:1 for elementary schools and 54:1 for secondary schools, which are “relatively better” compared to the 85:1 ratio in the entire National Capital Region.

Luz said the city government is also providing “relevant training” for teaching personnel, free notebooks and workbooks to all public school students, lesson planners and class records for teachers, and school supplies and books to children enrolled at public kindergarten schools and day care centers. These, he said, are part of the local government’s WIN Ang Edukasyon program.