All geared up for growth, continuous learning

Integrated schools have become a key component of Philippine education as they provide a seamless path from elementary to high school. By combining multiple grade levels under one roof, these schools help communities accommodate growing student populations and prevent interruptions in learning.

Their role became even more crucial with the rollout of the K-12 program, which allowed students to complete the full cycle of basic education without gaps.

Jefmin Elementary School (JES) in Concepcion, Tarlac, is in the midst of a metamorphosis that mirrors this. From an elementary school, it is working to become an Integrated School that will carry students seamlessly through kindergarten to junior high school.

Gearing for growth

JES Principal Anthonette Lampa said the school is well-positioned for the transition, citing the school’s strong performance on achievement tests as well as its successes in curricular and co-curricular competitions. 

But she emphasized that a school building is a critical missing piece: “For the integrated school, we prioritize the classrooms. If we do not have classrooms, even with approved documents, where will we house the students? The paperwork for that is easy, but securing the classrooms and teachers for our learners is the real challenge,” she explained.

The transition, she said, is for the welfare of the 770 students at JES, one of the largest schools in the Concepcion West District. Moving to an Integrated School would allow students to continue their secondary education locally, easing parents’ concerns about travel and commuting costs.

A critical piece

The new school building, jointly built by SM Foundation and SM Prime, has alleviated many of these concerns. 

Lampa said that three of the four classrooms will be used for the school’s transition, with facilities designed to enhance comfort, motivation, and learning, including individual armchairs, some of which are specifically designed for left-handed students.

For teachers like Tom Pangilinan, who has taught at JES for 29 years, the building is a welcome change: “We sometimes conduct our classes in open areas without proper roofing, which makes heat and discomfort impact the students’ learning experience. It’s hard to maintain classroom discipline when facilities are poor.”

He added, “You have to raise your voice just to be heard; it gets hot, and the students get sleepy when there are no proper learning facilities. Naturally, if the teacher struggles, the students’ learning is affected, too.”

After the turnover, Pangilinan described the new building as a major step toward resolving the school’s longstanding shortage of classrooms and facilities. 

“Many are hoping that this means the completion of our integrated school, so students won’t have to leave the barangay to study because transportation is also a burden. SM gave us a really great opportunity. We are grateful to them for helping us meet the needs of our school,” he added.

Accommodating students, ensuring continuous learning

To ensure proper care of the building, three classrooms will be housed by grade six students, while they will dedicate one of the rooms for digital learning.

“These kids are talented. We always say we’re in a high-tech age, but we don’t have enough computers. But because of the DigiHub, our students can now have hands-on learning with computers. It’s a huge help for their growth,” Lampa said, noting that the hub will also train students, not just in digital literacy, but also for competing in journalism press conferences.

The SM Grroup ensured that the facility is tailored to the needs of the school. It addresses the long-standing challenges, including the lack of comfort rooms and ventilation.

Each classroom comes with a comfort room, four electric fans, armchairs made of steel and wood, a whiteboard, and a teacher’s desk, while the building includes a handwashing station.