Republic of the Philippines

Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School

Schools Division Office Caloocan City

THE HISTORY OF CALOOCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UNIT II

(Now Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School)

Caloocan Elementary School Unit II (CES II) traces its beginnings to 1961, when Caloocan Elementary School Unit I (CES I) was divided to accommodate the rapidly increasing pupil population. The separation aimed to provide closer supervision of teachers and improve the quality of instruction.

At that time, the principal of CES I was Mrs. Felisa S. Lizardo. Mrs. Maxima U. Costes was designated Head Teacher and tasked with organizing the new unit, with the support of 17 teachers from other divisions.

CES II initially faced the challenge of housing its approximately 680 pupils distributed into 17 sections from Grades 1 to 4. To address this, the Division of City Schools, headed by Superintendent Francisco Salamat, allowed the school to rent the De Leon Building and the Baelle and Vallener Buildings as annexes. Although classes were held in three separate buildings, this arrangement was considered the best solution given the city government’s financial constraints.

In 1964, Superintendent Mrs. Modesta B. Boquiren directed Head Teacher Mr. Pedro C. Bonifacio to look for a lot of at least 1,000 square meters for a permanent school site. Due to the high cost of real estate, no suitable property was found. Superintendent Boquiren then used her connections to secure permission for the construction of a new school building at the oval playground of Caloocan High School. Construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1977.

CES II transferred to its new building in October 1977, with Mrs. Venus Batino serving as Head Teacher following the transfer of Mr. Bonifacio to another school. This relocation marked CES II’s elevation from a primary school to a complete elementary school, initially staffed by 35 teachers. Over time, both the teaching force and student population continued to grow.

Since its establishment in 1961, the school has been led by several dedicated administrators, including: Mrs. Maxima U. Costes (1961–1964), Mrs. Esperanza N. Orlina (1964–1965), Miss Teresa Roman (1965–1966), Mrs. Irinca N. Manuel (1966–1967), Mrs. Dolores S. Reyes (1968–1969), Miss Mativida Mendoza (1969–1973), Mrs. Herminia Ramos (1973–1975), Mr. Pedro C. Bonifacio (1975–1976), Mrs. Venus Batino (1976–1978), Mrs. Amelia Gabol (1978–1979), Mrs. Eugenio Reyes (1979–1980), and Mrs. Adoracion O. Pascual (1980 onward).

Under their guidance, CES II excelled in inter-school competitions such as art contests, chamber theater, oral reading, quiz bees, and declamation. The school also actively participated in community projects including beautification drives, tree planting, census activities, elections, referenda, plebiscites, and civic programs. Through the leadership of Mrs. Adoracion O. Pascual and in cooperation with the PTA, several school improvements were implemented, including fencing, lighting, beautification of school grounds, installation of drinking fountains, construction of additional toilets, and establishment of a greenhouse.

By School Year 1994–1995, enrollment had reached 1,855 pupils, supported by 54 teachers. Additional classrooms were acquired when rooms from the Bagong Lipunan Building formerly occupied by the Integrated High School were turned over to CES II.

Formerly known as Caloocan Elementary School Unit II, the school began in rented buildings along P. Burgos Street with 680 pupils and 17 teachers, offering only primary education. In 1976, its first permanent building was constructed along P. Sevilla Street between 9th and 10th Avenues on the former Caloocan High School oval. The school officially moved there in October 1977 and began offering complete elementary education.

Over the years, additional facilities were built, including an Industrial Arts Building and Home Economics Unit. Continuous improvements in physical facilities earned the school recognition as one of the division’s most improved schools.

In July 2005, a City Ordinance officially changed the school’s name from Caloocan Elementary School Unit II to Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School.

At present, Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School has the following facilities: a four-storey, 12-classroom new building; a three-storey, nine-classroom DepEd building; two-storey Cariño Building; two-storey Bagong Lipunan Building; and a two-storey old building. A new three-storey building began construction in October 2015.

Gregoria de Jesus Elementary School is a P-III school serving approximately 2,548 learners. It offers complete elementary education, including Kindergarten and Alternative Learning System (ALS) classes, and implements the Abot-Alam Program. The school follows the K–12 Curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade VI, the Basic Education Curriculum for upper grades, and provides ALS and Abot-Alam programs for out-of-school youth.