DARAM ISLAND, West Samar: Cloie and her classmates couldn’t concentrate during their classes because they keep looking at their classroom’s dilapidated ceiling that seems to be falling anytime soon.

During rainy days, instead of finding refuge inside their classroom these young students would rush outside just to find a safer place. When it’s warm, they will get out of the classroom just the same to avoid scorching heat.

Built in the 1960s, classrooms at the Ubo Primary School used to be decrepit and not conducive for learning. Home to some 200 pupils, these buildings have already cracks, are termite-infested—almost at the brink of falling apart.

“Our children used to get wet during rainy days even if they are inside the classroom. During summer, they cannot stand the heat inside. It’s odd that their classroom, which is supposed to be their refuge in school, does not provide them with security against both heat and rain. Classes are suspended when it rains because the classroom gets flooded,” Nena, a mother of a student, narrated.

Brgy. Ubo is a village in the municipality of Daram, an island that is two hours away by land and an hour and a half away by boat from Catbalogan, the capital city of western Samar in Visayas. The village has the population of 764, 405, of which are school aged children. Most families rely on fishing for livelihood but this hardly supports the basic needs of the family.

“Since the classrooms have leaking roofs, students get wet and become sick. This discourages them from attending classes and some opt to drop out of school. Others prefer to help their fathers in fishing, while the girls work as house help,” Fe Montaño, program unit manager in Samar, noted. “Young girls working as house help become vulnerable and often fall prey to exploitation and abuse.”

Having a decent classroom, where students can learn without fear of getting wet during rainy days contribute to a healthy learning environment. It is based on this principle that Toyota Boshoku and the Toyota Boshoku’s Managers’ Association have built a classroom for the pupils of Ubo Primary School. The group has recently turned over a new primary school to some 151 students in Daram Island, West Samar.

The newly constructed Ubo Primary School, which is part of Toyota Boshoku’s social contribution, was recently inaugurated and was attended by managers from Japan, employees from Toyota Boshoku Philippines Corp., the local government heads from Daram Island, parents, students and representatives from Plan International’s Philippine Office.

“I hope that the students will love the new school and will further motivate them to study harder,” Tomoyasu Fujita, chairman of Toyota Boshoku Managers’ Association, said. He also expressed hope that the school will provide students with a safer learning environment.