Pupils with special needs get to showcase their talents like other regular students during special occasions at Sto. Niño Sped Center in Tacloban, like they did during the schools anniversary program held recently.   (by Eileen Ballesteros)
Pupils with special needs get to showcase their talents like other regular students during special occasions at Sto. Niño Sped Center in Tacloban, like they did during the schools anniversary program held recently. (by Eileen Ballesteros)

TACLOBAN CITY- Eight months after the school was ravaged by supertyphoon Yolanda, the Sto. Niño SPED Center is gradually getting back to normal set up.
Unlike other public schools equally affected by the disaster, SNSC is now in regular school schedule. The shifting schedule did not even last a month from the day classes resumed in January this year.

At the 26th founding anniversary of SNSC, school principal Delilah De Los Santos spoke of the contribution that the various humanitarian and civic organizations, local and international, have shared that helped the school get back to its normal operations.

Among those which significantly provided assistance to the school were the Child fund, Unicef, Chinese Red Cross, Philippine Red Cross, the Solid Group Foundation, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Foundation, Alpha Phi Omega, KOICA, Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life, the general parents-teachers association of the school.

The temporary classrooms built by the donor organizations have notably aided in the fast recovery of the school. Although there are yet some major repairs that should be done, the students attend their class in the regular length of time. The school however awaits the assistance from the Department of Education for the repair of the roofing and ceiling a one main school building that was severely damaged by the strong winds packed by Yolanda.

De Los Santos likewise expressed her gratitude to the parents of the students who were supportive of the recovery efforts of the school administration and faculty. She stressed that the abundance of Divine Providence is a major factor that helped the school to rise up soon. SNSC keep the legacy of academic excellence producing graduates who are Philippine Science High School admission test passers, and students who are awardees and qualifiers in prestigious academic and school-related competitions in the country and the region.

Some faculty members are likewise recipients of national awards in their respective field of specialization, including special education that caters to the educational needs of children with special needs. (EILEEN NAZARENO BALLESTEROS)