KAGMAN Elementary School may continue experiencing shortage of classrooms and teachers next school year because of the unprecedented increase in the number of new students, according to Kagman Principal Ignacia Demapan.
For school-year 2002-2003, 809 students are enrolled at Kagman—this is 209 more than its designed capacity of 600 students.
Kagman has been experiencing shortage of classrooms since last school year when it admitted 767 students.
To address the situation, Demapan said the students held classes in storage rooms, in libraries, in computer lab rooms and even at the teachers’ lounge area.
Demapan is pinning her hopes on the completion of Kagman Junior High School.
“They are moving the 6th grade students to Kagman Junior High School next school year, mainly for space reasons. We’re moving 127 out of the 809 which still leaves us with 670 students,” the principal said.
Demapan said no additional full-time employees are anticipated to be hired for the school.
She said the Public School System does not have the money to hire new teachers for the school nor funds to build additional classrooms.
“I certainly need more classrooms and teachers. The classroom student-teacher ratio here is reaching the maximum of 30:1,” Demapan said.
Still, Demapan said her teachers are prepared to make the best of what they have.
“It all amounts to money. No budget. I guess everybody is suffering so we have to make the best of everything,” she said.
Based on PSS record, Kagman is the most populated elementary school in the Northern Marianas.
