General Santos City, Philippines — October 2026
Construction of a new two-classroom building at Bawing National High School in General Santos City has reached 75% completion, with the official turnover scheduled for November 12, 2026.
Funded by the Government of Japan through the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, the new facility will provide students with a safer, more comfortable, and more inclusive learning environment.
The building will replace an aging classroom structure where students previously faced leaking roofs, excessive heat, and other conditions that made learning difficult. The new classrooms will be equipped with student desks and chairs, teachers’ furniture, electric fans, televisions, and a handwashing station.
Students Look Forward to Better Learning Conditions
For students at Bawing National High School, the construction represents an opportunity to learn in an improved environment.
“Seeing it almost finished gets me very excited and grateful for the people of Japan who helped build this area for us,” said Anikka, a student at the school. “It makes me even more excited to see how this space will help us enjoy our studies and learn comfortably.”
Another student, April Joy, shared similar expectations.
“I feel so happy and excited seeing our future classroom being built step-by-step. It gives me a clean, comfortable, and safe place to look forward to. Once it’s ready, I know I will be able to focus much better during lessons, motivating me to study harder and do my very best.”
Photo: Previous classroom conditions for Grade 11 students at Bawing National High School.
Supporting Teachers and Inclusive Education
The improvements are also welcomed by teachers, who expect the new facilities to enhance classroom activities and student participation.
Gabriel, a Business and Entrepreneurship teacher, shared his enthusiasm:
“Seeing the improvements in our classroom almost completed makes me feel happy and motivated as a teacher. It is fulfilling to see our classroom becoming a better place for teaching and learning.”
Beyond improving physical infrastructure, the project aims to promote inclusive and peaceful learning among students from different cultural and religious backgrounds, including Indigenous Peoples, Muslim, and Christian communities.
By creating a shared learning environment, the project seeks to strengthen mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among students.
Photo: Teachers Gabriel and Rachel inspecting construction progress (left); ChildFund Japan Philippine Branch Country Director and project staff conducting a site inspection in September 2026 (right).
Looking Ahead to the November Turnover
With construction progressing toward completion, the school community is preparing to welcome students into the new classrooms.
The facility is expected to improve teaching and learning conditions while contributing to the project’s broader objective of promoting inclusive education and peacebuilding in General Santos City.
ChildFund Japan will continue working with the school and local partners to ensure that the new facilities support a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
This project is funded by the Government of Japan through the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects.
