Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project Phase I, the Department of Education (DepEd) handed over an eight-classroom, two-story building with provisions for Persons with Disability at Julian D. Luna Elementary School.
“Sinigurado natin na may toilet para sa Persons with Disability. Ito ay may mas malaking ramp para magamit ng mga mag-aaral na PWD,” Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro said adding that as a learner-centered public institution, DepEd establishes child-friendly, safe, and motivating learning environments, where differently-abled learners would be able to achieve their full potential.
Luistro said that DepEd ensured that the classroom building was complete — from electric fans to toilets — before the turnover. PSIP involves the design, construction, financing, and maintenance of the said classrooms equipped with school furniture, fixtures, and toilets.
Classrooms built under PSIP have a design life of 25 years, as part of the Department’s technical requirements. Under the PSIP I contract, the contractor covers major maintenance such as structural assessment, termite control, and repainting of the school-building within 10 years.
Continued commitment to basic education
The Aquino administration remains committed in addressing the growing needs in basic education. Even in the “last two minutes” — as President Benigno S. Aquino III likes to call the remaining years of his administration — DepEd will continue to provide basic inputs to address incremental enrolment, regular wear and tear, and senior high school (SHS) requirements.
“Ang atin pong itatayo sa ating “last two minutes” ay ang senior high school,” Luistro said. He added that DepEd shall construct more classrooms in this year to prepare for the full implementation of SHS (grades 11 and 12) in 2016.