A rendering of the new PSD campus in Abu Hamour.
DOHA: Philippine School Doha will mark its historic silver anniversary in a building of its own and with a new name Philippine Science School Doha (PSSD).
The new building of Philippine School Doha (PSD) is expected to be handed over in January next year and is set for a grand inauguration during its silver anniversary in October the same year.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the eve of PSD’s 24th foundation day, PSD Principal Alexander S Acosta said construction of the building which is located on a 14,375sqm plot in Abu Hamour is in full swing.
“Construction is on track and doing well. They are working overtime and additional workers have been hired. We are hoping the building will be turned over to us in January,” said Acosta.
An increase in enrolment is expected when the school relocates to the new building next school year with the inclusion of Grade 12 level as a result of the K to 12 programme currently being implemented in all Philippine schools.
The first Philippine school in Qatar, PSD has operated in rented buildings from one location to another for 24 years. With the limited space of its current location, it has no choice but turn down hundreds of students every year. Enrolment has seen a continuous rise from 33 students in 1992 to the current 3,445 student population. The new campus, which can accommodate around 4,300 students, will provide a big help in the growing population of Filipino families here who wish to give their children Philippine education.
Apart from 136 classrooms, the new school will feature 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 opening of the new school will mark a milestone in its history as it becomes the first Philippine science school in the Middle East and will be renamed Philippine Science School DOHA (PSSD).
“To be the first Philippine science school in the region will be another feather in our cap. It will elevate the status of the school as well as raise its standards,” said Acosta, who was recently back from the Philippines after following up the status of the school’s application to be a Philippine science school.
The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was among the relevant agencies he visited to work on the requirements. He expressed confidence the school will finally achieve its vision to be the first Philippine science school when it opens next academic year.
While the new school opens its doors in June next year, the grand inauguration will fall on the school’s celebration of 25th founding anniversary in October of the same year.
Philippine President Rodrigo R Duterte, former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the founders of the school will be among those who will be invited to the ceremony,
