Numancia Integrated School

Category:Cultural Institution

I. Background Information

• MUNICIPALITY/CITY: NUMANCIA
• PROVINCE: AKLAN
• LOCATION/ADDRESS: F. KIMPO STREET, POBLACION, NUMANCIA, AKLAN

       Façade of the structure where the cultural institution holds office
Photo credits: Rhoda T. Maglunob, June 21, 2023

Logo

                                                

The Symbol and Meaning

• Outside Circle - represents external stakeholders who are capable of conserving, developing, and promoting the school's vision and mission.
• Inner Circle - represents internal stakeholders who are responsible for the implementation of the basic foundations of education and the learning process.
• Torch - symbolizes Christ as the only messenger who proclaimed the sacred truce to humankind- the light and hope of the nation and its people.
• Flame - stands for light, spirit, and knowledge for life which symbolizes protection and the struggle for victory. It signifies the enthusiasm and manifestation of values among the NIS students together with its staff.
• Rays - symbolize authority that signifies the glory and brilliance of eight (8) pioneer secondary teachers in the advent of the conversion to Integrated School.
• Laurel - Leaves symbolize victory, triumph, and fame for progress as well as improvement of the alumni, benefactors, and stakeholders.
• Stars - symbolize excellence and commitment to empower youth to pursue the importance of education.
• Book - symbolizes knowledge as the best source of learning and understanding in the realms of life as a living ground for change and improvement.
• ICT - icon symbolizes the school's vision toward excellence in information and communications technology.

The logo was conceived by Mrs. Amor T. Magdaluyo; former Principal II of NIS. It was interpreted by then-late principal, Medsil C. Carrillo and Rhoda T. Maglunob, former Supreme Student Government SSG) Adviser. The new logo was laid out by Johuanna Rose I. Nejar with her husband, Rommel Nejar, ICT consultant of the school. It was further enhanced by Gabriel A. Ojerio, TLE Drafting Teacher of NIS.

Type of Cultural Institution

Numancia Integrated School is home to the District Office of Numancia which is adjacent to the Municipal Plaza. The school has the following facilities: a library, laboratory rooms, handwashing areas, a school clinic, and an isolation room. In 2021 after the pandemic, a conference room and the covered court were added as functional facilities.

The school offers other learning curricula on the Special Education (SPED) Program for Learning with Disabilities (LWD) and Fast Learners (FL), Grades 1-6. It also offers an Alternative Learning System Curriculum and a Special Program in Sports (SPS) offering individual sports; athletics, arnis, chess, and badminton. It also offers team sports; softball, volleyball, and Sepak Takraw.

School buildings classified as DepEd standard, DepED Modified, Multi-Purpose Workshop, Bagong Lipunan Schools, Alternative Learning System Rooms, and Marcos-Type Buildings under formal education from Kindergarten to Senior High School.

Narrative Description

Based on the declaration of the real property records on file, the school site is classified as residential land. The latter was utilized as a school site and is declared in the name of the Bureau of blic School located at Barangay Poblacion, Numancia, Aklan, Philippines under

• 1. ARP no. 05-001-0752 with an area of 29,399 CAD lot no. 267 with the following boundaries:CAD lot no. # 334 and 335 in North, Kimpo Street., SEC 010 in the East, National Road in the South, and CAD Lot no. 268;313 in the West.

• 2. ARP no. 05-001-0753 (2006) with an area of 1, 0360 CAD lot # 268 with the following boundaries: CAD no.# 310 and 313 in the North, creek in the East, National Road in the South,and CAD no # 269 and 270 in the West.

Numancia Integrated School, formerly Numancia Elementary School, was established in 1917 through the efforts and wisdom of very supportive townsfolks: Erineo Cordova, Leoncio Kimpo, and Lucas Gonzales who donated four hectares of land that became the site of the school.

Dr. Reinalda Ibabao-Magdaluyo, an NES alumna, narrated that in 1946-1948 when she was an intermediate pupil, the classrooms were temporary and were built using “butong and pawod” with cemented flooring. According to Dr. Magdaluyo, before the war, NES was a complete intermediate school, now elementary level.

In the 1950s, the L-shaped semi-permanent building along F. Kimpo Street was built. The classrooms were elevated- made of wooden flooring and stairs. They were typically designed with “silong”, or a base underneath the floor.

During the 1960s, Mrs. Florentina Esmeralda Fulgencio, a retired Home Economics Teacher, narrated that there were six rooms made of “butong and pawod”, aligned straight along the national highway including the Kindergarten Room and the Home Economics Building. Along F. Kimpo Street was the entrance gate, the office of the District Supervisor, the Principal’s Office, and a library under the supervision of Consortia Maypa. A semi-permanent building was at the center of the school area with an exit stair at its far right, which Mrs. Fulgencio called it “new building”. In the advent of being a complete elementary school and being the central school; Numancia Elementary School had to cater to graduates from neighboring barangays that were mostly primary schools. The house of Pocas Macavinta was utilized as Mrs. Fulgencio’s Grade 5 Home Economics classroom for a year. It was the nearest house to the school site until now.

Numancia Elementary School was converted into Numancia Integrated School through the initiative of Dr. Reinalda Ibabao-Magdaluyo, when she was the Assistant Regional Director of DepEd Region VI with the concerted efforts of the School Principal I, Mrs. Amor T. Magdaluyo, Mrs. Elma M. Tabing,District Supervisor, and the late Honorable Ernesto I. Templonuevo, then Municipal Mayor.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Numancia and the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) prepared a resolution favorably endorsed by then-Congressman of the Lone District of Aklan, the late Allen Salas Kimpo, and hen governor, Honorable Florencio Tumbokon Miraflores with the late Arthur S. Juada, chools Division Superintendent of Aklan. The conversion of Numancia Elementary School into Numancia Integrated School is approved on March 19, 2001, by the DECS Secretary, the late Honorable Raul S. Roco per DECS Order No. 91 s. 1999 entitled “Guidelines in the Establishment and Operation of and Operation of an Integrated School.”

The name Numancia Elementary School was officially changed to Numancia Integrated School on June 4, 2001, in a fitting ceremony attended by provincial and municipal officials with the Schools Division Superintendent of Aklan and the Assistant Regional Director of DECS Region VI, Dr. Reinalda I. Magdaluyo.

As per the record, Jose M. Kimpo was the very first principal of the school. From 1922 to 2023, 21 principals have served NIS. From 2021, after the conversion to an Integrated School, the former principals are as follows: Amor T. Magdaluyo, Michael T. Rapiz, Medsil C. Carillo, Jocelyn N, Nillasca,Rheyda T. Tejada, and Gabriel Espirito R. Vega, Jr. In 2023, Mrs. Sally V. Agapito, School Principal 1,leads the whole NIS community.

This is the short list of District Supervisors who have assisted the school head of Numancia Integrated School, formerly Numancia Elementary School in all its undertakings: Oxilliadora Acevedo, Demetrio Cabezon, Jose Farco, Estrellita Fernandez, Eulogio Gerada, Reinalda I. Magdaluyo and Elma M. Tabing. From 2021, the Public School District Supervisors (PSDS) are Roselyn V, Ruiz, Rosie B. Reyes, Jesus U. Lim, Jesse E. Bereber, Jr., and presently, Jude Ullyses V. Ruiz.

In 2001, Numancia Integrated School started sharing its wisdom and virtues, embracing 202 students passionately cherished by eight (8) pioneer teachers; Mrs. Juvinna R. Dela Cruz, Ms. Rhoda T. Maglunob, Mrs. Jocelyn T. Tolentino, Ms. Judith Z. Moriente, Ms. Mary Jane T. Talco, Ms. Kay R.Tibulan, Mr. Jonathan Q. Dongito, and Mr. Roldan M. Macavinta. Four of the teachers drew their salaries from the Provincial School Board Fund and the other four from the Municipal School Board Fund. They were given permanent items on June 2, 2002.

In its third year, parents, stakeholders, and the Municipal Government Officials showed their perseverance to improve the school facilities of the school thus providing better classrooms that led to the construction of 10 classrooms made of light materials; bamboo, nipa, and “amakan”. Tables and chairs were donated by parents and stakeholders. Another five permanent teachers were added with a total of 25 faculty members in the secondary level.

In its fourth year, the student population grew bigger up to 2,000 students. That is the time that NIS Elementary and Secondary Level was completed.

On April 15, 2005, NIS had its First Commencement Exercises with 193 Grade 10 Graduates, ready to transcend and indulge their desires, goals, fancies, and aspirations in life as an alumna of the prestigious Numancia Integrated School.

Description of Significant Milestones:

Numancia Integrated School has been active both in curricular and extracurricular activities in all subjects and fields from district, unit, division, and up to the regional level contest and awards. They received numerous citations and awards as follows:

1. CHAMPION - 2022 Brigada Eskwela, Best implementing schools, Mega category- Elementary Level, Dec. 23, 2022
2. GOLD Awardee- 2022-2023, Search for most Functional School Child Protection Policy Program (FSCPPP) and Gender and Development Program (GADP) Year 2
3. 3 rd Place - 2022 Binhi: Gulayan sa Tahanan Challenge
4. Qualifier, 2022 Invitational games for athletics (800-meter run, Iloilo, City)
5. 3rd place- 2019-2020 Search for Best implementer School, Brigada Eskwela Implementation
6. 3rd place - 2021 Brigada Eskwela, Best Implementing Schools, Mega Category- Elementary and Secondary Level, June. 23, 2022
7. Qualifier for 2018 Regional Festival of Talents on Population Development for Social Studies – Debate category
8. Qualifier for 2018 Palarong Pambansa, Athletics (High jump, Triple jump, and Long jump,Davao City
9. GOLD awardee – 2018 WVRAA meet, High jump and Triple jump, Roxas, City
10. CHAMPION - 2007 Provincial Cultural Contest, Folkdance and; represented Aklan in the WVRAA in Bacolod City
11. Qualifier for 2007 WVRAA meet Cultural contest, Vocal Solo, Classical, Bacolod City

Stories and Narratives

Numancia Integrated School serves as a venue to many school-related events; in particular, the billeting home of athletes during athletic meets. Different district, divisional, regional, and even national contests are held in NIS.

Recently, the Local Government Unit of Numancia cited the NIS Senior High School Building as an evacuation center during calamities and emergencies. Junior High school classrooms have been the COVID-19 facility and quarantine area for positive patients during the pandemic.

From its founding year in 1917, NIS has produced successful alumni, to name: Dr. Reinalda I.Magdaluyo, Mrs. Emma I. Ceballos, Judge Wenceslao Ibabao, Dr. Concepcion P. Constantino, Mrs.Myrna M. Escalona, Jesse M. Gomez, Mrs. Basilia I. Fajardo, Dr. Grace Fernandez Lim, Judge Genoveva Coching Maramba, Hon. Bayani M. Cordova Assissi C. Raval, Ms. Noreen R. Daypuyat, C/M Daryl M. Misplacido (+), Engr. Geland S. Tolentino and EPS Mathematics- Dr. Edselyn T. Biray.

Significance

Historical
Numancia Integrated School, formerly Numancia Elementary School, was the first public school in Numancia with complete intermediate grades in the 1940’s. It is also considered the oldest and largest central school in Numancia probing its founding date, 1917.

Considered as the first Integrated School in the province of Aklan. Recently, the only public school in Numancia with complete formal education under the K to 12 Curriculum.

Aesthetic
The façade of the school speaks for its beauty and uniqueness surrounded by big trees and large lawn areas. These lawns served as playgrounds for pupils and school children, likewise as training grounds for athletes and venues of various activities since they are in front of the cultural stage at the elementary and secondary level.

Inside the school premises are ruins of stairs of the Gabaldon building, the functional Marcos building in Grade 7 rooms, and Bagong Lipunan buildings on the elementary level. There are visible heritage structures inside the school like the old bell, water storage, cemented burning bins, and the deep well in the home economics building at the elementary level.

Social
Being the center in a highly urbanized area, Numancia Integrated School serves as a supportive network and agent for socialization in the municipality. NIS educates and nurtures the learners, thus developing their skills to value life in its fullest essence.

Socio-economic
The school caters to the needs of the community. The NIS School Canteen run by the teachers’ organization provides parents extra income by selling snacks, goodies, and food packs during recess time. Income from the school canteen serves as a support fund for the expenses of the school.

Farmland cropping helps teachers avail of the schools’ resources. Retired teachers are given priority to the land for a year.

Socio-Political
Numancia Integrated School has produced several alumni who are elected officials. The politicians and at the same time stakeholders of the school are generous enough to provide for the needs of the institution in any way they can. The progress and improvements of the school lie in the support of the benevolent citizens of the community. Some of the facilities are initiated by the Parents and Teachers Association, with the support of the Local Government Unit, and the Barangay Officials with its catchment barangays: Poblacion, Marianos, Aliputos, Badio, and Joyao-Joyao. During elections, NIS Classrooms are used as precincts for Barangay Poblacion and Tabangka Voters.

Spiritual
In Numancia Integrated School, it is a customary practice to celebrate school activities starting with the Holy Mass, especially during the World Teachers Day celebration, graduation rites, and moving- up ceremonies.

The Parish Catechetical Ministry of St. Joseph the Worker provides yearly recollection among Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 students who will embark on another life journey upon completion of a step in their educational milestone.

Since the existence of the school, the Santo Niño Seminary has conducted a 30-minute religious activity every Friday before classes start in the afternoon. Religious priests and lay ministers offer their services in the school during Ash Wednesday for imposing of ash or ”badlis”.

Assessment of the Institution

A. CONDITION/STATUS OF THE INSTITUTION

Through time, Numancia Integrated School has shown improvement in terms of facilities. Yearly, constructions of buildings, repair of damaged pathways, and wash areas, among others, are noted. Still, many old buildings need to be demolished based on the school plan. The school is also a flood-prone area since it is near the creek, with no permanent drainage system that worsens the case during rainy seasons. Moreover, a temporary fence is enclosed in the flooded area. The fence is often drowned during floods and heavy rainfalls.

B. CONSTRAINTS/ THREATS/ ISSUES/ CHALLENGES: The drainage system and enclosed concrete wall are priorities of the school. Old buildings are maintained due to scarcity of rooms and offices both at elementary and secondary levels.Administrations take precautionary measures to manage school-related threats and issues by planning to avoid risks that would affect students and school facilities in general.

C. MEASURES AND DESCRIPTION OF SAFEGUARDING MEASURES TAKEN:

A temporary fence is used to enclose the area as well as the drainage system. Hollow canals are dug up as temporary waterways to the creek. While the old school building was utilized for classroom instruction.

REFERENCES

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: (Tick appropriate box/es)
[ / ] Print, write-ups
[ ] Audio/video recording
[ / ] Photographs and sketches
[ ] Others __________________________

KEY INFORMANT/S:
Reinalda I. Magdaluyo, 88 years old, Dongon West, Numancia, Aklan
Florentina E. Fulgencio, 92 years old, Poblacion, Numancia, Aklan
Sally V. Agapito, 52 years old, Principal I, NIS

REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES:
Numancia Integrated School yearbook, School files, and interviews