LEADERS of the country's public education system continued their fruitful watch over the initial success of the first Xevera School System in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and interested private school educators nationwide have been reported elated and hopeful of the positive developments at the ABS-CBN-sponsored school built and supported by the Xevera project under Globe Asiatique Realty Development.

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This was learned from DepEd Regional Director Mario Ramirez who leads his agency's supervision and academic policy directions of the Don Antonio Lee Chi Uan School, named after the father of Globe Asiatique President and CEO Delfin Lee. A similar, if not bigger, school will be established next year at Xevera Mabalacat North.

Lee's obsession to help create the evolution of the present generation into the "New Filipino" through students' value formation and academic superiority is being fulfilled with his pioneer Xevera School System.

The mega-builder and community developer envisions the Xevera School to be the future leader of educational institutions in Pampanga in a timeline impelled by the objective of surpassing the best achievements of both public and private schools in the province.

A tripartite undertaking of the DepEd, educator and culture warrior Ms. Gina Lopez of ABS-CBN, and the Globe Asiatique, the Xevera School aims for high academic excellence, a well-rounded education for good citizenship, and leadership. The school spirit emanates from the unique visions and philosophy of the man behind the Pampanga Xevera community: Mr. Delfin Lee.

Mr. Lee believes that children of the average Filipino family -- the hardworking breadwinners, professionals, employees in offices, the people who labor with their sweat and skills -- deserve to have equal chances in life with the same opportunities for advancement that the rich families provide their sons and daughters through good education.

To Mr. Lee, as he is addressed by the local community, "a proper basic education of even the indigent students will give them respectable authority and empowerment to meet life's difficult challenges in adult life," TV host Sonny Lopez told viewers of the new program K2K at MCN's Ch. 3.

Through his school system, Mr. Lee has helped bring about that change, which transforms a society into a new breed of strong, disciplined, and productive citizens, according to Xevera School principal Emelyn Samonte. She topped all Pampanga teachers (with M.A. in Education) for the highly demanding job.

Ms. Samonte heads an elite faculty of l4 whose members were chosen from the highest ranks of the best public school teachers all over Pampanga.

Mr. Lee's commitment to achieve the best schools in Xevera Pampanga is a common cause shared by the DepEd that vetted and recruited the pilot school faculty.

The building industry leader once had asked Ms. Gina Lopez, the third pillar in the special school, if Xevera could match up the academic quality found at the famed International School where Ms. Lopez carved the Xevera template.

She told Mr. Lee that if he will provide the full support and the required facilities for the school. Xevera would catch up with the high standards of the International School. Mr. Lee, for a start, has given special benefits and compensation for the teacher-recruits.

Encouraged by the implicit challenge, Mr. Lee has spared no stone unturned to bring the best trained faculty, the latest school equipment, including expensive computers and technology to develop his school to a dream institution in the future.

Barely a year in operation with about 230 students mostly children of homeowners, the Xevera school has been making a students' record of sorts by the top prizes won in public school competitions, Ms. Samonte said.

It is the only school where a strict 25 students-per classroom policy is adhered. With its rigid admission tests, two types of students have evolved. The admission passers belong to the regular classe; those below par are taught in special classes.

"I do not want to refuse any child the right to basic education" Mr. Lee said of 2nd level that gives him added financial burden to maintain.

Ms. Samonte was the top recruit of DepEd among a hundred top caliber public tutors, including Ms. Carla Medina, her town mate from Guagua town and English teacher Sharon Lising of Anao, Mexico who talked with the writer.

"Mr. Lee inspires with his wisdom and charm," Ms. Medina said. "He is the most gracious and considerate Boss one could ever have," added Math teacher Ms. Lising who, with the others teachers, stays in a faculty house provided free.

Principal Samonte was proud that the students have now imbibed old values and virtues like industriousness, responsibility, and discipline.
"They put off the lights when not in use; pick up litter where they see it, are courteous, respectful to elders. But most important of all, they strive hard to meet our rigid schools standards and ideals to the immense pride of their parents."

Except for one or two teachers, Ms. Samonte and the rest of the lady faculty have kept an unwritten code of remaining single, preferring their devotion to Mr. Lee, and choosing instead the comfort and pleasure of the school family system over marriage, observed Sonny L. in his talk show with Delfin L.

"We are not asking them to remain loveless but they choose to stay unmarried," Mr. Lee said, while opening applications to "legitimate" bachelors for his prized catch, the vivacious and talented principal.

Incidentally, the Xevera School is one of the major attractions and facilities provided homeowners in this sprawling estate designed after Spanish community structures and reinvented ambience for convenient, stylish and affordable lifestyle.

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila.

(November 24, 2008 issue)
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