APALIT -- Senior High School Principal Jayson Flores said that the Senior High School building located at Villena Subdivision here is nearing completion and will be occupied by December.
He said that the construction of 28 classrooms and another additional eight classrooms funded by the Provincial Government of Pampanga, is now 80 percent done.
“Ang sabi ng foreman na kausap ko by November pwede na lipatan pero nag-adjust ako ng December kasi hindi naman nila nami-meet kadalasan yong date nila, nasa last phase na sila, maglalagay na lang sila ng mga accessories nyan,” Flores said.
While the said building is not yet complete, senior high school students taking up Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) and Electrical Installation Maintenance (EIM) were temporarily accommodated at Jose Escaler Memorial School (JEMS) at Barangay San Juan. However, a month ago they were advised to occupy the corridors of Bro. Andrew Gonzalez Technical High School.
Teachers have been similarly waiting for around two years now for the completion of the said building.
Rowena Carlos, a Science major Teacher, said that “because of uncertainty on the date, every day I, as well as my fellow teachers walk from here [BAGTECH] to JEMS and back and forth.”
She also said that there’s no room to complain since their primary job is to educate the students and that if they focus on waiting, nothing will be accomplished.
On the other hand, Johnray Ramonez, ABM Grade 11, said: “At first, ang awkward sa JEMS kasi elementary school ‘yon and we’re already in Senior High but eventually we get along in the environment.”
rNarafe Punla, ABM-Grade 12 added that they withstand studying along corridors. “Nakakaraos naman kami sa lesson ang kalaban lang namin bukod sa ingay is ‘yong ulan, like kahapon, nagsuspend ng kalse sa umaga pero pagsapit ng hapon tirik ‘yong araw, panghapon kasi kami.”
The students are hoping that they get to “transfer” at this site before they finish their senior high years.
The said “promise land and building” originated from a memorandum of agreement signed by former Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. which provided 6,404 sqm. of land for the construction of 28 classrooms. (Maricar Dimla)