Shortage of chairs, desks mar first day of classes

The first day of classes yesterday turned out to be fine except that several principals called on the office of the Public School System requesting for more chairs and desks.

According to PSS associate commissioner for administrative services David M. Borja principals from Oleai Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School and William S. Reyes Elementary School called on him to request for more chairs and desks for additional students.

Borja said the first day of classes was wonderful and at the same time challenging due to the additional requirements of the schools affected by the increase of student population.

He said Marianas High School incurred the most increase. He said MHS has gained a 200-student increase from its previous population of 1,200 students. He also said MHS still lacks five teachers. He said they are waiting for recommended teachers with appropriate subject content-area knowledge. “We’re looking for math teachers,” he said.

Borja also said the unanticipated challenges yesterday were also caused by late registration or enrollment of the students.

He said some students only filed their registration yesterday because they were either off island during the enrollment period and they just got back yesterday, or they are new students who just decided to enroll.

Despite the shortfall, Borja said the PSS had to proceed as planned to start the new 2005-2006 school year. He earlier said the PSS had no option but “not to do less but more” complementary to the phrase “doing more with less,” said Borja.

The associate commissioner said he would be doing his rounds to some of the schools on Saipan today. He said he would also be visiting schools on Rota and Tinian this week.

As for the school buses, Borja said his bus drivers did very well yesterday. The drivers followed his instructions with regards to the new routes and changes following the school zoning for Kagman High School, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, and Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School among others.

Despite the early morning drizzle, students began to convene at bus stops and waiting sheds nearest their homes.

Borja said the buses and vans also did well transporting the hundreds of students back to their homes yesterday afternoon.