The quality of education at Tuba Central School (TCS) in Benguet has taken a significant leap forward since the donation by SM Foundation (SMF), SM Prime and the Philippine Stock Exchange Foundation of a two-story, four-classroom building on 9 August 2019.

“With more space for the children, the learning environment became more conducive, allowing them to focus better. This has definitely contributed to their academic progress,” sixth grader Maria Margareth Mae Dacpano said.

Previously, each TCS classroom accommodated up to 53 students.

“The teacher-to-learner ratio now averages to 1:20 with the addition of two classrooms on the ground floor of the new school building,” TCS principal Jennifer Cados said.

Data from TCS show that in some TCS grade levels, as much as one-third to half of the total enrollment are proficient to advanced learners. In the first quarter of the 2023 to 2024 school year, one Grade 1 section had 14 proficient to advanced learners out of 24 enrollees, while a Grade 5 section had 15 out of 32.

The principal also noted a positive trend in student retention, with absenteeism and dropouts becoming less frequent and only a few students discontinuing their studies as of writing.

“With the facility, we can accommodate more enrollees amid the increasing number of learners,” she added.

Dacpano also said that the SM Foundation School Building has a dedicated computer room in the second floor that allowed students to research faster.

Before, they used to research using only their mobile phones, she recalled.

The TCS’ information and communications technology (ICT) room is equipped with 20 WiFi-connected computer units that were acquired in partnership with Mastercard Philippines.

The second floor also includes a dedicated sports room for arnis training, supporting the province’s reputation as a stronghold for the sport in the Philippines.

Even teachers benefit from the ICT room.

“Teachers don’t have to spend time making lesson materials because everything they need is already available. It’s easier for us to teach about computer literacy because we have computers where they can access applications on their own,” Riola Wasit, one of the ICT teachers, said.

Meanwhile, the SMF conducted a thorough inspection and completed necessary repairs of TCS and seven other SMF-donated schools nationwide, revitalizing the buildings with fresh interior and exterior paint, plus ensuring the facilities remain safe and well-maintained for students and teachers alike.

By ensuring schools like TCS remain safe and well-maintained, the foundation continues to pave the way for a brighter future, one school at a time.

Meanwhile, SM Group’s National University (NU) marks its 125th anniversary this year by opening new campuses in Cebu and Las Piñas City within SM properties, bringing its total campus count to 14 this year. This expansion is expected to increase student enrollment to 85,000, deepening NU’s commitment to its mission of providing accessible and quality education to more Filipinos.

“We’ve been expanding with the purpose of providing more access to quality education, which is core to the SM Group’s commitment to social good. For us, giving back means ensuring that excellence in education reaches more Filipinos, regardless of their background. The Sy family has always aimed for excellence at NU — whether in academics, infrastructure, or sports,” said Dr. Renato Carlos H. Ermita Jr., president and CEO of NU.