The Manila city government broke ground on Monday, July 26, for the construction of the modern Manila Science High School.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Vice Mayor Ma. Shielah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan led the ground breaking ceremony along Taft Avenue in Manila.
The city government allotted a budget of P1.3 billion for the construction of the new building.
Domagoso noted that the school is the first science school in the country and that "it was only fitting that the cream of the crop would have a well-appointed school building."
"All of you deserve better things from your government," he said.
"Kung ang mga pampublikong paaralan ay may produkto nang magagaling na indibidwal sa industriya na kanilang kinabibilangan, ano pa kaya't kung pagdating ng araw meron silang sapat, maayos, at magandang pasilidad sa loob ng paaralan? (If the public schools have produced great individuals in their respective industries, what if, in the future they will have a well and nicely-built facility inside their school)," Domagoso added.
The new building features air conditioned classrooms, faculty rooms, roof deck, outdoor sports arena, gymnasium, social hall, auditorium, canteen, library, and elevators.
It will occupy a total lot area of 3,690.80 sq.m. and will have 11 floors, including the roof deck.
"Building this school is our own little way of stimulating our domestic economy in the City of Manila. At the same time, we address the perennial problem of the teacher-student ratio in our public education system," Domagoso said.
The New Manila Science High School will have the following teacher-student ratio:
—Kinder: 1 teacher for 25 students
—Grades 1 to 3: 1 teacher for 40 students
—Grades 4 to 10: 1 teacher for 45 students
—Grades 11 to 12: 1 teacher for 40 students
The Manila Science High School project is the second of the three modernized public school buildings that the city government planned to start building this year, according to the city government.
On July 19, the city government broke ground for the construction of the modern Rosauro Almario Elementary School located in Kagitingan Street, Tondo, Manila.
READ MORE: Modern Rosauro Almario Elementary School to rise soon in Tondo
The city government will soon have the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc. This project has a budget of P2 billion.
"It is sure to have amenities that are as impressive as those planned for the first two school buildings that broke ground," Domagoso said.
The redevelopment of the three modernized public schools in Manila has a budget of over P5 billion, according to the city government.