DANAO City, Cebu—The corporate social responsibility arm of Security Bank Corp. announced the turnover of a 2-storey, 8-classroom school building to Sabang Elementary School last August 24.
The school building donated by the Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) will reduce the classroom-to-student ratio in SES from pre-pandemic ratio of 1:50 to 1:35, which is the ideal class size. The SBFI said it took advantage of the suspension of face-to-face classes to complete the construction.
“Having a conducive, safe, and motivating learning environment spells out my personal vision of quality education. This school building translates that vision to reality,” Leah Noveras, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent of Danao City, Cebu, was quoted in a statement as saying.
More than being havens for learning, classrooms also play critical role in building lifelong memories, which the current batch of students is missing with the distance learning delivery, according to SBFI.
“Among my fondest memories and lasting friendships happened in school buildings. School buildings are also about memories that you treasure and friendships that we are so blessed to have,” Danao City Mayor Ramon D. Durano III was quoted in the statement as saying.
SBFI said it traces its “strong focus on education” to 2011, the 60th anniversary of Security Bank, when SBFI was made aware of the shortage of classrooms in public schools across the country.
“We believe that education is the greatest equalizer in life for it will give every person the opportunity to succeed in life, no matter what his or her social and economic background may be,” SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying. “Hence, it has been our commitment to ensure that Filipino students will have access to quality education through our education programs.”
By the end of the year—the bank’s 70th—SBFI would have donated 701 classrooms in 124 schools located in 69 cities and/or municipalities.