Reshaping futures with collaborations

Learning beyond 6 p.m.? Not anymore for Grade 6 students at Iligan City’s Sta. Filomena Central School (SFCS), who now have their own classrooms in the newly constructed SM School Building.

At Iligan City’s Sta. Filomena Central School (SFCS), teachers and students have carried the weight of a challenge too familiar: not enough classrooms for its learners.

SFCS School Guidance Designate Helen Diez explained that the school only has 38 usable classrooms, while more are needed to serve its kindergarten, special needs education, and grade school population of 1,800.

“To achieve the one-teacher-to-one-classroom ratio, we really need at least 50 classrooms,” Teacher Helen said.

At first, grade 1 pupils were placed on emergency schedules, a move that affected reading outcomes and left many struggling with comprehension. This prompted the school to restore their regular hours. 

The same shortage has forced grade 6 sections into emergency classes. Sharing the limited classroom, morning groups attended from 6 a.m. to noon, while afternoon batches studied from noon to 6 p.m. This is two hours shorter than the regular schedule: morning sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon classes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“The shortage of classrooms is a hindrance and an obstacle for the school,” Teacher Helen shared. “The result of the emergency classes is not beneficial to the learners because their learning time is shortened. But our teachers here are very committed, and they have the passion to teach.”

Living through emergency classes

That passion was tested daily by SFCS teachers Mercy Cardiño and Diana Gornez, who both handled grade 6 emergency classes.

“Devotion talaga ang pagtuturo,” Teacher Mercy said, summing up the patience and perseverance required to keep students engaged through the long and odd hours.

For many learners, the 5-6 p.m. slot was especially draining. “During the last subject, students feel that it’s already late. Their minds are already elsewhere, and they are often distracted by other students who have regular schedules. Their performance in the last subject tends to dip compared to earlier classes.”

Teacher Diana agreed. “Ang core para sa aming teachers ay maging successful ang bawat araw na aming haharapin. So, we do our very best to explore various teaching strategies and also apply differentiated activities.” But with tired students, hot classrooms, and noise from after-school activities, it was a daily battle.

Before the SM School Building. SFCS students who experienced emergency classes shared limited classroom facilities. Before, grade 6 morning groups attended from 6:00 a.m. to noon, while afternoon batches studied from noon to 6:00 p.m.

Emergency schedules also reshaped teachers’ lives. For morning shift, teachers often woke up as early as 3 a.m. to prepare for the 6 a.m. class. The afternoon shift started at noon, but teachers still had to arrive by 9 a.m., with classes running until 6 p.m.

“We had to adapt because of the lack of classrooms for the sake of the children,” Teacher Diana said, adding that they needed to stay lively since children mirror their teachers’ energy and it affects the whole classroom atmosphere.

New building, new hope. SFCS Grade 6 teachers Diana Gornez (left) and Mercy Cardiño (right), both affected by emergency classes, visit their classrooms in the newly built two-story, four classroom SM School Building, which was recently turned over by SM Prime and SM Foundation.

Help in laying the groundwork

As SM Prime and SM Foundation turned over a new school building to SFCS, it signaled a return to normalcy that would give students and teachers a more conducive environment.

Teacher Mercy said that with a classroom assigned to her, she will no longer have to lug around heavy bags filled with teaching tools. “Now, the classrooms are complete, not only with fixtures and furniture for students’ needs, but also for us teachers. This gesture pushes us, teachers, na mas magpursige para sa mga bata.”

For Teacher Diana, the excitement was palpable among her students. “Their enthusiasm to learn has grown,” she said. But she also reminded them of the responsibility that comes with the opportunity to be the first ones to utilize the building.

With the added classrooms that help bring schedules back to normal, teachers are hopeful that students’ learning outcomes will improve.

Collaboration that builds the future

According to Dr. Jonathan Dela Peña, Iligan City Schools Division Superintendent, the shortage of classrooms remains a persistent challenge. The support of organizations like the SM Group emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing education gaps.

He said that the group’s initiative was an efficient and targeted solution: “Aside from addressing the needs of the school in terms of improving the classroom-and-student ratio, it’s very swift. For me, it is really efficient. It addresses right away the crucial need of the school without waiting too long for the infrastructure to be finished.” 

With the new school building in place, SFCS can finally leave behind emergency schedules and focus on boosting their fullest potential. 

The new building includes a conveniently-located mini library that supports the school’s program to enhance children’s reading and comprehension skills.