New school building for Kiponget Primary School

Kiponget Elementary School: Before (Left Picture), Present (Right Picture)

Once dubbed as the ‘flooding school’ of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, Kiponget Primary School has finally transferred to its new site last February 13, 2015 with a turn-over ceremony of its newest and first building on-site given by Pasali Philippines Foundation Inc. and its partner Cordaid. There were students, parents, teachers, religious and political leaders, DepEd Representatives and Pasali Staffs present in the activity. The building was an answer to the needs of the tri-people children to strengthen access to quality education through an enhanced learning environment. 

“Pasalamat na naisip nyu bigyan yung Kiponget, dati ‘floating classroom’ ngayun ‘elevated classroom’ na” (Thank you for giving this new school building to Kiponget, which was once a ‘floating classroom’ and now is an ‘elevated classroom’), says, Ma’am Pudjia Acob, Al Haj, the Division Satellite Supervisor, in a funny manner as she delivered her acceptance message of the building that Pasali turns over to DepEd and Kiponget Primary School. This school with less than two hundred students, from Kindergarten to Grade V, has before gone through the challenge of conducting classes amidst poor and inadequate buildings and the constant chance of seawater invading the school. Now, with a new school site of one hectare and away from the sea, donated by the barangay captain, new doors are opening for this once struggling school.

It was a very fruitful day with the local government unit, its barangay counterpart and DepEd Representatives having all plans laid down for the future of Kiponget Primary and its new site.  Mr. Amil Pangansayan, SB member and committee chair said they will not stop with just a single building but with more rooms to come. The barangay captain, Hon. Baingan Kamad committed to donate a C.R. for the school and mentioned a plan to place a ‘purok’ (wooden waiting shed) outside and since the site is beside the national high way they shall place sign boards and warning signs for the safety of the students. Also the plan for the inclusion of Grade VI for the next school year was discussed. After the ceremony a signing of an agreement between parties involved was done in the presence of the community. 

“Salamat sa pagpili sa amin kahit mahirap at malayo kami.” (Thank you for choosing us even though our school is far and hard to reach.) Sir Ian Elisan, teacher-in-charge of Kiponget Primary School said in his closing remarks. “Gusto naming ipakita na may ginagawa kami, may gagawin kami, gusto naming ipakita na may pagbabago” (We want to show that we are doing something, that we will do something, we want to show change), he added. The teachers are now being able to conceptualize school development and beautification that was sorely lacking before. Chances are now opening up for them and their excitement is palpable.

 It all begun with a plan, then its materialization with a complete building and everything followed. Things were slowly falling into place for Kiponget Primary School.