Monday, April 11, 2005
Soil test to help City Hall trim classroom costs
THE Cebu City Government will spend at least P1.5 million to conduct soil testing on 30 schools, so it can save money in building classrooms.
After learning the soil’s density through the test, the contractor will have an idea how to adequately construct the “footing” or base of school buildings.
This will spare the City from spending on unnecessary fixtures.
City Hall education consultant Joy Augustus Young said the City plans to build at least 45 classrooms this year, with a budget of P750,000 per room.
The City’s Special Education Fund (SEF) still has some P33 million for new classrooms, and Young intends to use the amount this year.
He learned the City can actually save if soil testing is done first. With the current practice, the City merely lays down a uniform foundation for building construction, without considering soil density.
Surplus
With the new approach, Young said the amount spent for soil testing would be recovered from savings on five to six classrooms that would be built.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced last week that the City allotted P40 million for classroom repairs, aside from the surplus amount for new buildings.
He made the statement when asked about City Hall’s P997,000-financial assistance to the City’s Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) delegates.
Osmeña allowed the City to be represented after learning that the bulk of the delegates were from private schools.
Besides, he added, the event is held during summer break and will not disrupt the academic activities of public school students who are joining.
The mayor said he is not against sports activities, but the Department of Education’s emphasis on non-academic ventures, like joining the Sinulog, which made them neglect academics.
He was especially angered by the dismal performance of Cebu City public school students in the National Achievement Test. RHM
(April 11, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
