An SM school building opened in time for classes at Gov. Natalio & Susana Enriquez Elementary School in Brgy. Sampaloc, Sariaya, Quezon. Built by SM Prime through the SM Foundation, the schoolhouse was a most welcome addition as two sections of the   609-student population of the school were holding classes in the covered court for two years.   According to school principal Lyra Catarroja, blackboards were used as temporary “divider” between the  two  sections,  while students were exposed to heat and  dust during the summer months and  intermittent showers during the rainy season.

“This is a most welcome donation from SM, especially now that we are adopting the K-12 requirement of the DepEd,” she said.  “With the new classrooms, we will have one shift from Grades 1-6 with a ratio of 43-1 while K will have two shifts to accommodate all new enrollees.”

“Our only problem now is how we can pay the salaries of the kindergarten teacher-volunteers, as the subsidy from the DepEd is minimal.” The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) is trying to help.

Rep. Irvin M. Alcala had solicited the building from the SM Foundation. At the turnover of the school building were Alcala; municipal administrative officer Allan Loria; school officials led by Catarroja; Schools Division superintendent Tolentino Aquino and  district supervisor Carmelita Tinana.

SM was represented by SM Prime regional operations manager Jayson Terrenal, SM City Lucena mall manager Celia Alquiros and PR officer Lilibeth Azores.

SM Foundation executive director Carmen Linda Atayde and educational project manager Eleanor Lansang were also present.

SM also built schools in General Santos City and Navotas, Rizal, in time for opening of classes on June 4.