Over 200 students in Mulanay, Quezon attend classes in cockpit

Students at San Isidro Elementary School in Mulanay, Quezon attend classes at venue of cockfighting, a cockpit, as their school had been severely damaged by the recent typhoons and earthquake.

According to Paul Hernandez’s report on GMA Regional TV “Balitang Southern Tagalog”, more than 200 students from Grades 1 to 6 attend classes held inside the cockpit arena.

“So, ‘yung isa pong elementary school po namin sa Barangay San Isidro ay nasira ang mga classrooms. So talagang na-declare na condemned na po yung mga classrooms,” said Mulanay Mayor Aris Aguirre.

(So, our Elementary school in Barangay Isidro was damaged. The classrooms have been condemned.)

Teachers are also using the center of the arena as their faculty room.

Grade 6 teacher Leonard Zulueta said their current alternative classroom is a big challenge for them.

“Ang mga resources ay kulang. Dapat gumagamit kami ngayon ng ICT or technology pero dahil sa aming facility, kumbaga, limitado ang aming nagagamit. Nagiging back to basic kami,” Zulueta said.

(There is a lack of resources. We should be using ICT or technology but because we are at the cockpit, sources are limited. We have to go back to using the basics.)

Meanwhile, several students still expressed their willingness to learn despite the situation.

“Titiisin ko po muna na kahit ganito ang paaralan namin, mag-aaral pa rin po ako ng maayos,” student Precious Lara Manzanal said.

(I will endure the current state of the school, I will study properly.)

“Kasi po gusto ko pong makatapos ng pag-aaral para po pagdating ng araw ay makatulong ako sa aking mga magulang,” Marian Herrera, another student, said.

(Because I want to finish schooling so that some day I can help my parents.)

“Para matulungan ko po ang magulang ko,” Roselyn, also a student, added.

(So I can help my parents.)

The school said they are coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to address the classroom shortage.

New classrooms are being built but there is no certainty when students could use them as construction is still ongoing.

Even though the classrooms were built, the school still has a shortage of facilities.

“Panawagan ko po sa DepEd na sana po ay patuloy ninyong mapansin 'yung kalagayan ng mga mag-aaral sa San Isidro Elementary School. Higit po sa lahat ay madagdagan ang aming klasrum na nakatayo na sa bagong school site,” Grade five teacher Agnes Par said.

(I hope DepEd will continue to work on improving the plight of San Isidro Elementary School. And most of all, add to the classrooms that are to be built at the new school site.) -- Mel Matthew Doctor/BAP, GMA News