A NEW, modern school with a lot of green, open spaces in view of the ongoing pandemic and with features at par if not more than those found in private schools.
This, according to Aksyon Demokratiko and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, is what the new Dr. Albert Elementary School (DAES) in Sampaloc would be once it is finished, as he made an ocular visit to the site yesterday, a holiday, joined by city engineer Armand Andres, city architect Pepito Balmoris and city electrician Randy Sadac.
According to Moreno, the said school is one of four that the city government rebuilt in preparation for future growth of population, following a design that would be in keeping with the times.
“Gusto naming ma-achieve ang world ratio… ‘yung old buildings against sa paglago ng populasyon, pagsikip ng classroom,” Moreno said, adding that the DAES can accomodate 15,000 students once finished.
Explaining that one of the challenges faced by highly-urbanized cities is the lack of space, he and his team thought of using the same space but go vertical or upward.
With almost two hectares of space, Moreno said the ten-storey, fully-airconditioned school will also have amphitheaters and a gym incorporated in the building, along with greenery.
The other schools undergoing construction are the Manila Science High School, R. Almario Elementary School and the R. Magsaysay High School.
Moreno said that instead of concrete, the said schools will be using railings as enclosures to ensure the free flow of fresh air, as he assured that the interest of the students who will utilize the schools will always be foremost in his mind.
Himself a product of public school, Moreno said that the new school buildings will have an environment that would be more conducive for learning.
Moreno credited Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Congressman Yul Servo, Congressman Edward Maceda, Andres, Sadac, Balmoris, division of city schools superintendent Magdalena Lim and all the city councilors for their help and support that paved the way for the construction of the DAES.
The mayor said that the developments to be introduced in the new school buildings will be in keeping with the needs of the modern times and in preparation for the growing student population.
“Maswerte ang mga anak ko nakapag-aaral sa pribado. Gusto ko ipadama sa anak Ninyo ang natitikman ng mga anak ko— maginhawa, maaliwalas at may sapat na pasilidad upang pinuhin ang mga nag-aaral sa pampublikong paaralan.” Andres said that project, which involves 1.5 hectares, will turn the two-storey school to ten-storeys with 234 fully-airconditioned classrooms, 16 offices and facilities like a modern library, canteen, auditorium and seven stairs node, an open field, roof deck that is convertible to an ourdoor exercise area, a gymnasium and ten elevator units with a total capacity of 240 persons in all.
Moreno said that as a product of public school, he knows the problems of public schools inside out so that he would want the public school students to experience the facilities being enjoyed by private school students. (BABY CUEVAS)
