Defects seen in newly built Pangasinan school

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan, Philippines  – Teachers and parents of students of the Bayambang Central School here are appealing to Education Secretary Armin Luistro to conduct an investigation after cracks were reportedly found on the beams of some classrooms.

In a letter dated Feb. 20, teachers and parents led by Filipinas Alcantara, president of Parents Teachers Association, said they are worried about the safety of the students and personnel of the newly constructed school on Magsaysay street.

A check made at the site by The STAR yesterday confirmed the cracks on the beams.

The transfer of the school to the area in 2013 was met by protests from parents and teachers and resulted in a legal dispute involving the municipal government that claims ownership of the old school site in Poblacion, some officials of the Department of Education in Pangasinan 1 and school authorities.

Teacher Evangeline Ferrer said she moved her students to other areas within the school as she worries about their safety.

School principal Corazon Cayabyab said the municipal engineer’s office inspected the school last week. She said she has yet to receive a copy of the inspection report.