Zamboanga City – Santa Barbara Central School in Zamboanga received a new 2-storey, fully equipped 4-classroom schoolbuilding from SM Foundation, its 109th schoolbuilding built so far nationwide. There are 3,000 enrollees 99% of which are Muslim students from Brgys. Sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo, Marique and Kasanyagan.
According to School Principal, Annalia dela Zerna-Martin, aside from the 72 reguar teachers, there are 18 teachers under contract to the Madrassah Educational Program of DepEd. This program teaches Arabic language & Islamic values education (ALIVE) which makes this school the pilot school of the Madrassah Program.
The classrooms are each equipped with electric fans, toilets, wash basins, a curvex whiteboard, teacher’s table & chair and students’ chairs with a special provision for left-handed student made by PWDs who have been contracted by SMFI to make these chairs to provide them with a livelihood program.
In the ground floor of the building is a toilet for PWDs, a clinic, a mini library and a room for arts & music. Outside of the building is a handwashing facility for the students.
SMFI officials led by Linda Atayde, Executive Director for Education of SMFI & Exec. Dir. of SM MinPro Arthur Pee Jin To officially turned over the building to Dr. Basilio Uy of DepEd, Zamboanga City together with the School Principal, Dr. Ana Liza Martin, Dr. Elga Jarlega, District Supervisor, DepEd, Brgy. Capt. Ustadz Jumad Musa & SPTA President Nidznalyn I. Kasim
