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Ailyn Agonia
Doha
MIXED emotions marked the opening of a new school year of Philippine School Doha (PSD) on its new campus located in Abu Hamour on Sunday.
After a couple of delays in the opening of its regular classes for 2017-2018 school year, the PSD finally welcomed its nearly 4,000 students as well as dozens of parents.
The 14,374-squaremetre campus was bustling with activities and excitement on the first day of its opening. Faculty members and a number of senior students were designated in every corners of the school to assist parents and students in familiarising them with their new home.
However, due to some technical problems that affected classrooms at the ground and first floors of the school building, PSD management decided to cut short the classes to ensure the convenience of the students.
PSD Principal Dr Alexander Acosta said,"I admire the parents who understood the inconvenience that the school may have caused due to air cooling system which is beyond our control but I also understand those who cannot bear their children suffer from this inconvenience."
"The school assures our dear parents that the safety and comfort of our students are of paramount importance. However, there are circumstances that are beyond our control. I humbly seek the parents' indulgence."
Later in the afternoon, an announcement was circulated that classes at PSD were suspended until July 6 in view of the technical problems.
A source from the PSD PTA confirmed to Qatar Tribune that classes has been scheduled to resume on July 9 while other transactions at the school such as in finance and registrar's office will continue as usual.
Despite the inconvenience experienced by some students and parents on the anticipated first day of school, many of them still expressed support to the PSD management.
"We are very excited to send our children to school this year because, like most parents, we have been waiting for the opening of the new PSD building. With the new features of this facility, including laboratories and Olympic size swimming pool, we know that PSD students can further their learning not only in academics but also in building their confidence and socialisation skills," said one parent.
Another parent lauded the efforts of PSD management to push for the timely opening of the new campus.
"Despite the delays and the technical failures today, we are still thankful to PSD in working hard to meet its deadline of opening this year. We saw the sacrifices of the management of PSD in meeting their target," he said.
Another parent advised the PSD management to settle the issues at the new building before resuming regular classes.
