Engineers to check ‘substandard’ rooms

The Department of Education (Deped) prohibits students and teachers from using newly constructed school buildings that are yet to be turned over by the contractor.

DepEd Provincial Schools Superintendent Arden Monisit issued the warning after Task Force Paglig-on Chief Baltazar Tribunalo reported that a classroom in Kawit Elementary School in Medellin town was  poorly constructed.

Monisit sent a team of DepEd engineers to Kawit yesterday to check on the condition of the school building.

The classroom was a post-Yolanda project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with Rovilla Construction as the contractor.

Monisit said that based on their records, the classroom is yet to be turned over to DepEd.

“There has been no turn over from the contractor to DepEd nor has there been a turn over from DPWH to DepEd,” Monisit said in a telephone interview.

Monisit added  DepEd was only aware of the construction but they have no idea on building’s condition

“It is the principal’s responsibility not to allow the children to use these classrooms. Usually, classrooms that aren’t turned over yet are those that are not finished. I’m sure the contractors know that,” he said.

When Tribunalo visited the site two months ago, he saw hairline cracks on the walls and the ceiling was leaking.

Monisit said he had sent letters to contractors for rectification of school buildings due to faulty doorknobs, broken windows or slippery staircases but this is the first time he received a complaint regarding a “substandard” classroom.

“It would be better to use temporary learning shelters rather than a classroom that hasn’t been turned over yet,” he said.

Contractors that receive letters of rectification are given 15 days to correct the defects.

Rovilla Construction has promised to Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez to correct the defects described by Tribunalo within this week.