Previous Story
Teno intervenes to push Kagman school opening
|
Posted on Aug 03 2000
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday assured completion of the Kagman Elementary School on schedule, saying his administration is ready to provide additional funding when necessary.
He also said that the delay of its opening in time for students’ return to schools on Aug. 7 after the summer break is not due to lack of funds, but untimely delivery of construction materials and collateral equipment.
Public School System Commissioner Rita H. Inos in fact has already met with the governor’s staff to try to work out a solution to any problem that will hold back Kagman school’s opening, Mr. Tenorio said.
“We’re trying to make some money available,” he told reporters in an interview after speaking during the start of the Annual Conference of the Pacific Basin Association of Conservation Districts at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
“As far as the staffing [is concerned], we have already met to have the money available,” added the chief executive.
Mr. Tenorio was reacting to reports that the unveiling of the newly-constructed school, which has cost $6 million so far, will not push through on Monday in line with the island-wide school opening.
But Roman Benavente, Board of Education vice chair, maintained the delay is not due to funding shortage or even lack of personnel, but the unanticipated late arrival of ceiling materials to finish the project.
The school is now scheduled to be completed between Aug. 15 to middle part of September.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the House Committee on Education, Rep. Brigida DLG. Ichihara, said she is set to meet today with PSS officials where she hopes to bring up the issue.
But she expressed confidence that Kagman residents will be able to send their children to the new school during this academic year.
Mr. Tenorio has considered the school one of the key infrastructure projects of the government as it is part of the efforts to ease overcrowding in some of the existing schools.
The campus has eight buildings, 27 fully-air-conditioned classrooms that can accommodate 25 students per room, and other school facilities such as a baseball field and basketball court.
