(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Philippine School Doha (PSD) will be the first Philippine science school in the Middle East when the new school building is completed and opens its doors to students in 2017.
This was revealed at the foundation laying ceremony in Abu Hamour yesterday morning.
"The ceremony marks a new milestone for PSD. Today is a joyous occasion because we are not just celebrating the laying of foundation of the new building but, more importantly, the beginning of a new chapter in the history of PSD as an educational institution, as a community school and as the first Philippine science school in the Middle East," said Ambassador Wilfredo C Santos in a speech.
PSD Principal Alexander S Acosta said the school's name will be changed from Philippine School Doha to Philippine Science School Doha (PSSD) in time for the opening of the new campus.
"We are waiting for the go signal of the (Philippines) Department of Education. We have sent a letter to them and all documents.
"We were hoping to receive communication within this year but hopefully in time for the opening of this new building in 2017 we will definitely be changing the name of the school," Acosta told the media.
The recent granting of Qatar National School Accreditation (QNSA) institutional accreditation to PSD was a big step for the school to realise its goal to be the first Philippine science school in the Middle East.
The first Philippine school in Qatar, PSD has operated in renting buildings from one location to another for 23 years. In 2010, it was granted a 14,375sqm plot by the Qatari government to build its permanent building.
Santos stressed "the generosity of our host country Qatar, to Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for granting this piece of land on which the new PSD building will be constructed" and urged his compatriots "to continue to work within the established rules of the host country to show appreciation for the grand gesture."
He vowed continued support to PSD "in its pursuit for academic excellence for the Filipino children who represent our country's hope and future."
Recently a bank approved a QR108m loan to build the new school, estimated to cost QR120m. Work on the new school has started, said Acosta.
The ambassador underscored "the importance of cultivating leaders to take on the enormous responsibilities that come with the expansion of the school and implementation of the K to 12 programme."
The programme, which adds two years of senior high school, requires more classrooms, facilities and teachers. In a recent interview with this daily, Acosta had said the new school will be K to 12-compliant with more classrooms and facilities.
The new school, which can accommodate over 4,000 students, will have 132 classrooms, four science labs, a gym which can accommodate over 3,000, big libraries, a speech lab, an audiovisual room, and a swimming pool, among others.
"The permanent school building of PSSD is erected as a symbol of the united and shared vision of its founding parents, pioneer teachers, Philippine embassy officials, board of trustees, PTA, unit heads, faculty and staff, supreme student government, community organisations, benevolent parents and philanthropists, an edifice where the spring of knowledge and wisdom flows where the seat of Filipino culture and values emerges and where the legacy of service and excellence remains," said Board of Trustees Chairman Edgar V Bondoc.
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