SM FOUNDATION’S School Building Program ended the year with the donation of eight new school buildings bringing the number of SM school buildings to 100.
All eight school buildings are fully furnished two-story, four–classroom structures. Beneficiary public schools are the Balanga Elementary School (Balanga), Tuba Elementary School (Benguet), Kalalake Elementary School (Olongapo), Pedro Candido Memorial National High School (Hernani, Eastern Sa-mar), Zamboanga Central School-SPED Center (Zamboanga City), Mantagbac Elementary School (Daet), Villa Kananga Integrated School (Butuan), and Looc Elementary School (Nasugbu).
Several new innovations were initiated by the SM school building team in 2019. Instead of the traditional green blackboards, these are now whiteboards with concave panoramic design, which are healthier for the students and are easier to clean. The classroom floors are now red epoxy-painted which are easier to clean. Aside from left-handed armchairs provided for left-handed students, the school buildings are have PWD ramps leading to PWD washrooms, installed with handrails, even a sturdy bench the PWDs’ ease in changing clothes.
SM Foundation’s 100th school building was donated to Looc Elementary School, the first school building, an all-steel and all-concrete. This innovation make the building resistant to typhoon, earthquake, fire and termites. This also ensure that the building has longer lifespan—35 to 52 years.
Another innovation is the utilization of the spaces below the stairs into a book corner, like in
Balanga Elementary School, Tuba Elementary School and Kalalake Elementary School; or a music hub like in Pedro Candido Mem. NHS; or a clinic like in Mantagbac Elementary School.
SM Foundation also ensures that the school buildings it donates are emergency-ready. Emergency lights are provided at the landings of the buildings staircases as well as fire alarm bells. For additional safety, Tuba Elementary School and Kalalake Elementary were equipped with spotlights.
Hand-washing facilities were also installed at the school grounds, in compliance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
At the Zamboanga Central School-SPED Center, two rooms were transformed to a Home Economics room and a Laboratory room, in preparation of the Grades 4-7 students for Senior HS, specially the SPED students. This innovation was approved by Zamboanga DepEd SDS as requested by School Principal Dr. Edsel Francisco.
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