HELLO KITTY GOES TO SCHOOL. The Compound Elementary School in Barangay Panagaan, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur is painted with Hello Kitty images to encourage learners not to skip school and create a positive learning environment. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- To foster a positive learning environment and encourage kids to go to school, parents and teachers of a school in nearby Mahayag town painted the entire campus with Hello Kitty images.
Photos of the school buildings, which became trending on social media site Facebook, were taken at the Compound Elementary School located in Sitio Compound, Barangay Panagaan, Mahayag, some 50 kilometers from this city.
The Hello Kitty-themed campus attracted not only students but visitors as well from other areas of this province.
Mary Ann Vale, Compound Elementary School head, said the low enrollment this year prompted them to paint the school with Hello Kitty, with the support of the parents and other stakeholders.
So far, Vale said, they only have 84 students enrolled this year, adding that there were many dropouts in the past years.
Most of the dropouts are children of farmers, she said.
“They'd rather help to farm rather than walk for a few kilometers to and from school every day,” she added.
Jason Cajote, Department of Education’s (DepEd) North Mahayag District supervisor, admired the efforts of the teachers, parents, and other stakeholders who helped realize the project.
“They were motivated by their goal to attract the students, especially those who no longer wanted to finish schooling, Cajote said.
“I love the design, Hello Kitty, my favorite cartoon character,” Prinzel Vismanos, a Grade 6 student, excitingly said.
“Kudos sa naka idea ani (Kudos to the one who thought of the idea),” Shy Aclan said on her Facebook page.
“Clean kaau ang school. For sure Ganahan mo school mga kids ani...Congrats!!! (The school is very clean. This will surely encourage the kids…Congratulation!!!),” another Facebook post said.
“Wow! Very much kaayo jud! My salute to everyone!” Snowflakes Algie also commented.
Vale is optimistic the number of students will pick up in the next school year. (PNA)
