Teaching under the mango tree

Teachers of Capiz School of Arts and Trades in 1960

We often hear anecdotes of classes held under the mango tree, but some 70 years ago, fresh from the World War II, teachers of Capiz Trade School, the present-day Capiz State University Main Campus,  had no choice but to use the mango tree as their first classroom. 

Capiz Trade School (present-day Capiz State University Main Campus) was already existing for 17 years and was producing skilled graduates when World War II started in 1941. The Japanese forces reached Capiz in 1942, prompting Provincial Schools Superintendent Jose Aguilar to suspend the classes. It was not until 1946 that the school resumed operations. The Principal during this time was Jose Griño, while the first teachers to report were Vicente Azarcon, Esmeralda Caldeo, Jose Baltazar, Reynaldo Aguilar, Eduardo Acepcion, Ms. Arches, and Miss Navarra (Ortiz, 1964). 

When the wartime smoke cleared, the school was in a dismal state. One of the teachers, Felisa Ortiz, later described the condition of the school right after the war:

“There were no buildings then because all infrastructure and equipment of the school were totally burned during the Japanese occupation. Classes were held under mango trees at the school compound with only 187 students and five teachers…”

The school’s recovery was initiated by no less than the teachers and student themselves. They built nipa huts as temporary schoolhouses. When funds from the Philippine War Damage Commission were released, four school buildings were immediately built. But the teacher’s persistence to serve was a huge factor for the resumption of operations. They solved the challenges by living within their means and then belt-tightening is one and hiring only challenges by living within their means and then belt-tightening is one and hiring only those who were willing to accept the job even if it was very low salary.

The years following the war saw surge in the increase in enrolment and additional teachers were employed. However, classroom facilities were limited because the provincial government was not in the position to give sufficient financial aid at that time. Building construction, woodworking and automechanics were once again offered. Once again, the teachers resorted to their own resources and the tools used by students belonged to the teachers.