History of the School
Quality education is not measured on the size of the school but rather on the dedication and commitment that everybody offers in the name of our nation’s progress.
On the 3rd day of October, 1964, the Philippine government allotted a parcel of land with an area of 1.5 hectares for a school site in Barangay Malaria, Tala, Caloocan City.
Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School was constructed to accommodate the children of leprosy patients through the initiative of Mr. Pat Singson, the PTA President then. Initially, there were only three (3) classes in Grades I – III with an enrolment of 50 pupils per class under the tutelage of Ms. Florentina Mortel (retired) and Mrs. Rufina Nazareno (retired). After a year, Mr. Alejandro Aquino joined them and became the first school head. They made significant achievements possible for several years.
After Mr. Aquino retired from the service, Mrs. Rufina Nazareno took her office as the school Principal. In 1978, Mrs. Nazareno was assigned to other school, thus, Ms. Imelda S. Orduña replaced her for only three months. Mrs. Nazareno was reassigned to MLQ E/S in October, 1985 until her transfer to another school in 1987. The number of enrolment greatly increased. Additional classrooms were put up. In May, 1975, a tree-classroom building known as Marcos Type was constructed followed by the Bagong Lipunan Building (a two-storey/8classrooms) in 1981.
Mrs. Nenita R. Quintos assumed her office in 1987 to 1994. During her time, the Industrial Arts Building was built in 1988 followed by the construction of the Home Economics Building in June, 1990.
It is unfortunate to cite that the original land area (1.5 hectares) for the school has reduced to 3,359 sq. m. due to illegal squatting. Thus, a concrete perimeter fence was constructed to prevent further squatting. As a result, in 1993, an additional building called MLQ E/S Annex was put up about 500 meters away from the main building. It was designed for 6 classrooms to accommodate the increasing population.
When Mrs. Quintos transfered to another school in 1994, Ms. Nellie E. Pasion (deceased) took her turn in managing the school for a year. During her time, the enrolment greatly increased which made the number of pupils per class range to 60-74. The size is quite big and difficult to manage. Moreover, some classes were held along the hallways and stage due to lack of classrooms. A Multi-Purpose building was built then but it was utilized for records keeping, guidance office and clinic.
Mr. Priscillano M. Astadan (deceased) succeeded the office in 1996-1998. Booming increase of the population and the shortage of classrooms resulted to a 3-shift emergency program in Grade I and II. Mr. Astadan’s notable contributions are the constructions of the FVR Building (4 classrooms) in place of the Industrial Arts Building, and Gusali ng Lahi (2-storey/8 classrooms) as replacement for the old Bagong Lipunan Building both in 1997, Abot-Kamay Multi-Purpose Building (1996), Comfor Rooms, waiting sheds and deep well (1997). He also initiated the improvement of the school premises, gardens and landscapes.
Miss Virginia S. Manaid took over after Mr. Astadan was assigned to other school in 1998 – July, 2003. During her stay, one-classroom intended for primary grade, the school gym and repair of the school buildings particularly the broken window blades were materialized. Achievements in terms of educational standards were also commendable. The proof is the annual Superintendent’s Awards in various fields.
Dr. Aileen A. Canoy was assigned as the Principal for a couple of months only, from July to September, 2003. Her very short stay in the school is indeed unforgettable for she unselfishly shared her brilliant ideas to teachers in improving academic achievements.
Dr. Elizabeth E. Quezada assumed her office for only two months also, from September to November, 2003.
Dr. Josefina V. Dela Cruz, the Caloocan North District III Supervisor, was appointed as Officer-In-Charge while the position of the principal was still vacant.
Mrs. Lilia V. Cruz was assigned as the Principal and took her office on February to November, 2001. Besides the continuous educational achievements, she also made possible the repair of all drainages and gutters in the buildings.
Dr, Lolita R. Espiritu assumed her office soon after Mrs. Cruz was transferred to another school on November, 2004. She stayed until January, 2006. Her contributions were the repair of the façade in front of the Academic Building, repainting of the school premises, replacement of broken window blades and beautification of the school facilities. Reading programs were implemented to ensure the raise of reading comprehension level of the pupils.
Dr. Dulce V. Notario assumed her office on January 19, 2006. The yearly increase in enrolment resulted to large number of pupils per class but still there are not enough classrooms to accommodate the pupils. Moreover, several classes were held in the school gym and 3-shift emergency program in all grade levels were implemented. Dr. Notario transferred to another school on November 2013.
Mrs. Gloria B. Tecson is the present principal of the school. She transferred to the school on November, 2013. On her time, double shift classes were implemented because the Department of Education Ordered the adoption of the said scheme. Because of the implementation of the double shift classes, some rooms were divided into two to be able to accommodate the volume of the students per classroom.