HOLY INFANT SCHOOL OF MALUNGON is a private non-sectarian educational institution that is committed to develop the youth to become responsible and progressive citizens in a democratic society.
The school is strategically located along the provincial road going to the eastern barangay of the municipality. Only one hundred fifty (150) meters more or less from the heart of Barangay Poblacion, it is accessible from all points and to any kind of transportation.
As an educational institution, Holy Infant School of Malungon (HISM) first started as an extension school of the University of Mindanao (UM) Open Learning P
rogram which
catered collegiate education in 1982. Realizing the need of the community for an alternative private secondary education, its founder, Mr. Roger C.
Dapitan, entered into an agreement with the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC), also in Davao City to extend their Distance Study Education Program (DSEP) for Secondary Education here in Malungon. In 1983, DSEP for Secondary Education was offered.
Both programs were welcomed by the community as evidence by the number of students who wanted to avail with the programs. Inspired by this, Mr. Dapitan ventured to bring the program to the barangays. As a result, extention classes were opened at Barangay Tamban and Barangay San. Roque, Malungon, Sarangani Province.
Such extension classes however did not last long because soon, the government decided to open an annex of Malungon National High School in Barangay San. Roque. Just at the same time, Malandag National High School also opened an annex at Barangay Tamban. These time, Mr. Dapitan began to realize the little inconveniences brought about in managing the programs. Malungon was still under the Division of South Cotabato then with office at Marbel, Koronadal, South Cotabato. University of Mindanao and Rizal Memorial Colleges are based in Davao City so he had to go to Marbel and Davao City to submit his reports. This was not only tiring but also expensive on his part. These circumstances prompted him to seriously consider the suggestions of some of his friends to open his own school. Slowly and little by little, he started processing the important documents for the operation of a private school.
In 1984, UM and RMC decided to temporarily suspend their outreach programs in Malungon. Not wanting to lose his studens, who by then had already grown into considerable number, Mr. Dapitan decided to temporarily operate the school while processing the necessary permit. Finally in 1985, he was able to secure a government permit for the operation of Secondary Education. To provide buffer support for the High School, Mr. Dapitan decided to offer Elementary Education which he was able to secure a permit to operate in 1986. It was also at this time when the school adopted its new name - Holy Infant School of Malungon, in honor of the family's favorite saint and heirloom, Sr. Sto. NiƱo.
To show to the people of Malungon that Holy Infant School of Malungon is really committed to serve the community, Mr. Dapitan procured a parcel of land nearby which became the new site of the school.
With Strong determination, lots of sacrifices and dynamic tutelage, Mr. Roger C. Dapitan, was able to establish Holy Infant School of Malungon as a pretigious educational institution in this part of Sarangani Province. In due time, it was able to produce responsible and successful individuals. Living witnesses to the legendary role that HISM has been playing in molding future seekers into a service-oriented, pro-people, pro-nation, and God loving leaders of the future are the growing successful products which include public leaders, teachers, engineers, accountants, priests, nuns, doctors, police and military officers, and other professionals who have proven themselves to be useful citizen in the society.
In June 2006, Mr. Roger C. Dapitan, succumbed to his death thus leaving his daugthers, Ms. Annabelle Dapitan-School Director/Principal and Ms. Amelyn Dapitan-Borbon-Corporate President to administer the school. The demises of the school patriarch somehow created some sort of apprehension but that was only temporary because in a short time, the new administrators were able to adjust to their new role.
Today, under the new management, Holy Infant School of Malungon has continued to face the challenges to the present time. The economic crises that the country is presently faced with, has not diminished the trust and confidence of the parents to the school as evidenced by their continued support and cooperation.
As part of its commitment to the populace of Malungon, last June 2007, HISM has finally extended its services and opened technical-vocational courses. Hopefully, it will prosper so that more people will be served not only in Malungon but also nearby areas/localities.
As a growing institution, there certainly are many programs and plans for improvement and development. As envisioned, Holy Infant School of Malungon shall contitnue to endeavor to become a partner of the government in achieving progress and prosperity.