Classrooms shortage at Dr.
Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS), the province’s largest and
biggest integrated high school, has been addressed, according to a school
official.
As of Friday, they have at
least 6,270 enrolees--and still counting.
“Our shortage of classroom
has somehow been addressed for the time being,” according to assistant school
principal II Melchor Daniel, Jr on Monday’s opening of classes. “We have enough
for the meantime.”
 |
| Dr. Cecilio Putong
National High School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol has a population of 6,270 students—and still counting. Photos by Helen Castaño |
The two storey-buildings -
with 32 classrooms-were just recently completed were occupied on Monday even
though it lacked with sprinkler and electricity.
Daniel said because of the
additional classrooms the school can decongest the classes because they have more
than 50 students per class.
“Because of this
development, we are trying to achieve the ideal number which is 45 students per
class,” he said.
Unlike last year that
students were greeted from an on-going construction of adjacent two classroom
buildings, somehow they felt comfortable.
The shortage of classrooms
last year forced them to use makeshift classrooms and the gymnasium.
“
So, there will be no more makeshifts and classes in the gym,” he said.
Although there were two
Grade 7 classes were held at the gymnasium on Monday, but it was temporary
since the classrooms are still being done especially the flooring.
“Probably within the week
and the work will be over so that they can transfer to their classrooms,” he
said.
Daniel said they have had to
adopt the double shifting scheme to accommodate all enrollees. The first shift
is from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and the second shift is from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
He added that they would
only prioritize old students and Tagbilaran residents.
“We are still currently
accepting enrolments of our old students; transferees will have to wait and if
ever they will be given slots, chances are very slim. It’s not promising for
them to be able to study here because we have to accommodate our old students
first,” said Daniel.
Daniel said it was
impractical for the school to accept students from neighboring towns of Dauis
and Cortes since there are high schools in these towns.
 |
| Grade 7 teacher Irish
Baleling of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School is addressing her students through a wireless microphone (lapel mic). She said the lapel mic helps to preserve her voice and prevent fatigue. Photo by Helen Castaño |
“We simply can’t
accommodate the entire population of Bohol in our school because we have to
admit a great number of our students would like to study in Dr. Cecilio Putong
National High School, and we simply we can’t accommodate all of them. It’s
unfortunate but we have to be practical about things. We can’t sacrifice quality over quantity,”
Daniel quipped.
***
Not only pop icon Britney
Spears and Madonna find lapel microphones or hands-free microphone useful.
At DCPNHS, some teachers
have a rock-star look, wearing headsets in their classrooms to boost their
voice over background noises and help prevent their voice strain.
Grade 7-Compassion teacher Irish Baleling
doesn’t need to raise her voice.
Her voice rises above distractions,
such as noise and the clatter of students hustling through the hallway.
Even when she stands with
her back to write on the chalkboard, the students can still hear her. But
that's not because she's shouting.
Baleling, 31, is
addressing her 43 students through a wireless microphone (lapel mic) clipped to
her uniform.
She and other teachers at DCPNHS
opted to use lapel mic during classes to preserve their voice and prevent
fatigue.
There are at least 259
teachers at DCPNHS.
“As a teacher in this
number of students, lapel mic is very much important because if we will not use
lapel mic our voice will only last for an hour,” said Baleling who has been
using the lapel mic for the past three years.
On Monday, Baleling distributed
student handbook to her students. She also handled the one day orientation- about
the school’s rules and regulations.
She also told them to
spread kindness.
“We’d all like the world
to be a better place. It doesn’t take much to turn someone’s day around. A
smile, a compliment, a small gesture will do,” she said.
According to her, using
lapel mic has proven practical and effective since it enabled her to overcome
usual classroom noises and distractions.
“It relaxes me,” said
Baleling, a teacher of 10 years.
Using lapel mic to amplify
their voices in classrooms has proven practical and effective since it enabled
them to overcome usual classroom noises and distractions. The results –
the students are more focused and fewer teachers with strained voices.
Student Leah Mae Lozano,
11, said she could hear her teacher clearly.
“Makadungog ko klaro sa
gisulti ni Maam tungod sa iyang mic (I can hear our teacher clearly because of
her mic)” she said.
Daniel said he has seen
similar benefits. But he said not all
teachers are comfortable using the microphones. He said he leaves it up to the
teachers.
***
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