One of the oldest schools in Tanza, Cavite stood strong through the pandemic’s tough times with the support of a school building.

In November 2020, through the SM Foundation’s School Building Program, in collaboration with SM Prime, the Punta Elementary School (PES), received a new two story, four-classroom building that addressed urgent space needs and created a more conducive environment for learning.

Nearly five years on, the building continues to serve as a vital space for students from Grades 3 to 6 — many of whom once held classes in the school’s covered court due to overcrowding.

With a current student population of around 3,000 — double the number from before the turnover — the additional classrooms have helped ease congestion at PES, providing space for 55 to 60 learners per class and creating a more conducive learning environment for students and teachers.

The School Building Program outfitted the classrooms with essential amenities such as electric fans, panoramic whiteboards, and chairs — including those designed for left-handed students — crafted by the Foundation of These-Abled Persons. The foundation also installed a 10-faucet handwashing station on the school grounds.

“When the room is equipped with enough ventilation, learners will be able to concentrate more on their lessons rather than the heat. It may be a factor for a longer attention span, too. This isn’t actually just for my learners, but teachers like me also benefit from it,” Grade 6 teacher Xeladawn delos Reyes attested.

Delos Reyes also pointed out that as much as their learners are very adaptive and determined, addressing these needs will always be a part of their school’s list of priorities that ought to be fulfilled.

“With the SM Foundation school building here, the learners of PES have gained an edge. The addition of this facility provides not only convenience, but it saves time, too. Built-in comfort rooms spare a lot of time as students no longer have to ask for permission to go out for bathroom breaks, which allows them to focus on the lessons,” Grade 3 teacher Leah Manato said.

According to Delos Reyes and Manato, the faculty’s primary considerations in seeking additional facilities were to improve ventilation and provide pupils with better learning spaces, ultimately enriching the children’s educational experience.

This year, the foundation rolled out the maintenance component of its School Building Program and green-lighted repainting and other further refurbishments such as the installation of a lavatory — a move that not only ensured to restore the building’s prime.

Since joining the 88-year-old institution in August 2023 — nearly three years after the turnover of the new school building — PES Principal Dr. Cynthia Cadua has worked closely with teachers and parents to ensure each learner receives the support they need. For her, the presence of a well-built, permanent structure serves as a reassuring symbol to students and parents alike that they can expect a positive and enriching learning experience the moment they step onto campus.

Since its inception, the SM Foundation School Building Program has turned over 110 school buildings nationwide. Through its construction and ongoing maintenance components, the program upholds the vision of its founder, Henry Sy, Sr., in harnessing the power of education to create equal opportunities for the youth and uplift communities.