Public school receives new books, library from two private firms

DONATED books were turned over to the Barangay Luz Elementary School yesterday.

The donors, Chinatrust and National Bookstore, also spent for the renovation of the school’s library.

The books, which are in English and Tagalog, are about children and Filipino values.

With a thousand new books and a cozy library, the students’ academic performance should improve, said principal Lily Ann Go.

“Reading these books would improve the students’ comprehension and understanding,” she said.

After a short program, the students ran to the book display on the stage to get a quick peek of the books that have colorful covers.

Lack of classrooms

Go told Sun.Star Cebu that the school, which has 2,000 students, needs more classrooms.

She said they are currently using substandard classrooms for Kindergarten classes. The clinic and the home economics room both act as makeshift classrooms, she said.

“The facility (converted into the refurbished library) is not a sacrifice (for us) because this library will cater to all the pupils,” Go said.

Therese Marie Arnaldo-Marin, Chinatrust vice president and marketing communications and services head, said the school was picked because it met the requirements of the Better Reader, Brighter Future project. The school has a full-time librarian and a good reading program, she said.

“The story books were given out to (help students) develop a reading habit as they use colorful, easy to read stories with lessons on Filipino values,” said Arnaldo-Marin.

The books will cater to different grade levels, she said.