Focus on Education and PSS Our aging school facilities

In 1998, the PSS constructed 40 new classrooms. These classrooms are a welcome addition to an overcrowded situation. Many of the elementary schools, Hopwood Junior High, and Marianas High School had been struggling under a multiple-track system. Thanks to the new classrooms, the multi-track system was done away with except for
San Vicente School which will soon return to a normal system when the new elementary school in Dandan is completed on this coming February 1.

In addition, Oleai Elementary School had six new classrooms added to its campus during the past year. However, many of the schools had to continue with the daily deteriorating buildings that had been built in some cases over 50 years.

William S. Reyes was founded in 1946 by the US Navy Seabees. Portions of the buildings are about 53 years old. G.T. Camacho Elementary was built in 1951 or 48 years ago. Hopwood Junior High, the only junior high school on Saipan was built in 1952 or 47 years ago. Today, it is greatly overcrowded housing about 1,129 students.
It was originally intended to accommodate about 600 students.

Oleai Elementary was built in 1970 or 41 years ago. Tanapag Elementary was constructed in 1962 and is 37 years old. Garapan Elementary built in 1967 is 32 years old. The only high school, Marianas High School, is 30 years which was built in 1969. Today, it tries to educate 1,800 students in its antiquated structures. It is vastly overcrowded creating many social and educational problems.

San Vicente Elementary was built in 1970 and is 29 years old. Rota Elementary was built in 1953 and is 46 years old. It should be noted that ten out of fourteen schools that we have were built in the US Navy and Trust Territory times.

Rota High School was built in 1984 which makes it 19 years old. Koblerville Elementary was built in 1986 and is now thirteen years old. Tinian Elementary and Junior High were built in 1989 and are now 10 years old. Tinian High School was started in 1991 and is still not completely finished. The PSS and the contractor are now in litigation. Despite this it was opened for instruction in 1996.

Rota will have a new elementary school in Sinapalo sometime this year. In February, Dandan will finally receive a brand new school which will accommodate 400 students. The new school will have 16 classrooms and a cafeteria and an administration building. Drive by and take a lot at it. It is right next to the ballpark field.

Exciting news for residents of Kagman is that the new elementary school is finally under construction and will be ready for occupancy by September of this year. This will be a great boon to all the children who have to travel so far into Saipan to go to school.

A special note of thanks is due to the current legislature, the governor and the board of education who have worked closely in a fine spirit of cooperation. They all acknowledged the need for Dandan and Kagman schools. This display of unity is a prime example of what the community in harmony with the PSS can accomplish.

We must realize that school facilities are only a visual manifestation of our attitude towards education. The next step is to develop a manifesto of the community’s educational needs and goals. The quality of education is a reflection of the community’s attitudes and goals. Education is everyone’s responsibility.