TACLOBAN CITY- In a move to support educational development, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), has successfully completed the construction of a one-story, four-classroom building at the Palale National High School in MacArthur, Leyte.
This project aims to improve the learning environment and enhance the education of students.
The new school building features four classrooms, each measuring 7 meters by 9 meters, and includes comfort rooms, new blackboards, electric fans, lighting fixtures, a handwashing area, and a ramp for persons with disabilities.
“The completion of the new school building will help accommodate the increasing number of enrollees, easing the burden on teachers who are currently managing nearly 500 students from Grades 7 to 10 and senior high school at Palale NHS,” said District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura.
Aiza Caya, a teacher at Palale National High School, said that when DepEd implemented the Grade 11 and 12 Senior High School program, they faced challenges due to the lack of appropriate classrooms for senior high students.
This led to the construction of makeshift rooms that were neither conducive to learning nor met the standard requirements for teaching.
“We are so blessed to be recipients of this one-story, four-classroom building. On behalf of Palale NHS, the learners, teachers, and stakeholders, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the DPWH. We look forward to the day when the department can assist other schools in need of classrooms,” Caya said.
The newly-completed school building will primarily serve senior high school students and teachers, providing them with improved learning facilities and more conducive spaces for education.
This project is the result of the collaborative efforts between DPWH and DepEd to address classroom shortages in high-priority schools.
With a construction budget of P10.42 million, the project was funded under the CY 2023 DepEd Basic Educational Facilities Fund and was completed in July 2024.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
