Shell builds classrooms for kindergarten pupils

MANILA, Philippines - Gas technology and energy leader Shell donated US$100,000 to AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) Foundation to build 10 kindergarten classrooms in five public elementary schools in Luzon that were hit by typhoon Pedring in September 2011.

Dubbed the “Silid Pangarap” classrooms, the donation is in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) thrust in enhancing the quality of basic education in the country.

Last August, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. vice president for communications Roberto Kanapi and social investment manager Jacqueline Ampil turned over a number of the new classrooms at the Tuguegarao North East Central School, which is one of the beneficiary schools in the Cagayan region, to AGAPP Foundation chairperson Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada and Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano.

“The people of Tuguegarao are thankful to Shell for helping in strengthening the educational program in our city by providing classrooms for kindergarten pupils. In many ways, this learning facility helps in uplifting the standard of primary education and in providing better foundation for school children to develop their knowledge,” said Soriano. Another beneficiary is the Estefania Elementary School in Amulung East District of Cagayan.

“Building these classrooms for kindergarten pupils in public schools will go a long way in enhancing the quality of basic education in the country.  Just like our commitment to providing our customers with smarter products, Shell strongly supports the commitment of DepEd and AGAPP Foundation in advancing quality education,” said Kanapi.

The classrooms are equipped with furniture, learning materials and six months worth of school supplies. Pre-selected books for kinder to grade 3 pupils (ages five to eight) and teacher training for kindergarten teachers and selected school administration officials are also part of the donation.

Other beneficiary schools where kindergarten facilities were built are the Marcelo del Pilar Elementary School in Bulacan and Haliap Elementary School in Ifugao.

Shell has long been signifying its support toward nation-building in the country through youth development, among other advocacies such as environmental management, sustainable mobility, road safety and many others.

Enhancing preschool education in the country is one of Shell’s innovative methods in promoting youth development along with its established programs like the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship and the Shell National Students Art Competition, which are breeding grounds for world-class Filipino talents. 
Founded in 2010, AGAPP is a non-profit organization engaged in building pre-school facilities in public schools all over the country, is targeting to build 1,000 kindergarten classrooms by 2016.

“We have built 601 classrooms in three years and the number is growing. AGAPP will be going to several provinces to build more preschool facilities to help improve the quality of basic education in our country,” said Abelleda.