Located in the western coastal area of Surigao City, Barangay Mabua is known for its awesome pebbled beach and abundance of fish hauled “HABUA” (in vernacular) from the sea. The term “HABUA” signifying abundance struck most the folks as an appropriate name of the place but to make it more pleasing to the ears, they name the place Mabua instead. Mabua Elementary School is located at Purok 4, Barangay Mabua Surigao City. It is 5 kilometers away from the District Office and 10 kilometers away from the City Division Office.
Long before, this promising barangay was only a sitio of Barangay Ipil, so school children had to hike 2 kilometers to Ipil to attend school. In the early 50’s, the school started as a primary school with only grades I and II handled by Mr. Ciano Edera and the couple Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Catre headed by Mr. Catre himself. Later, grades III and IV were opened. The school and the PTA joined hands to recruit enrollees until such time Grades V and VI were opened.
A benevolent couple, Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Cedro donated the school site with an area of 7,692 square meters through a Deed of Donation dated September 6, 1985 in favor of the Minister of Education Culture and Sports, represented by the City Schools Superintendent of Surigao City, Francisco L. Mendoza.
As the years went by, the enrolment swelled because of the increasing population of the barangay. Additional teachers were assigned but there were insufficient classrooms. So, the PTA put-up temporary classrooms made up of round timbers and nipa shingles. Some classes were held in the barangay hall and in the stage to cater to the increasing population. Not long after that miserable situation, Hon. Carlos F. Gorgod Sr., Barangay Captain successfully requested for additional school buildings to wit: two buildings from the congressional fund of Honorable Robert Ace S. Barbers, one building with two classrooms from the Senator Robert Z. Barbers donated by the United Pharmachem Agrivet Incorporated owned by Elpedio Duc of Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated and one building with two classrooms from the office of the City Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra. Indeed, the residents of Mabua are grateful to the noteworthy personalities instrumental to the establishment of sufficient classrooms which is a great factor for an effective learning process.
Nevertheless, the following school heads who dared and cared for the transformation of Mabua Elementary School also deserve recognition, Mr. Roberto Catre, Mr. Juan Lancin, Mrs. Lourdes Menesis, Mrs. Erlinda C. Maravilla(1980-1983), Mrs. Antonia C. Gesta(1983-1994), Mrs. Merlinda A. Gesta (1994-1999), Mr. Leopoldo S. Silvosa Jr. (1999-2002), Mr. Wenderstand E. Lipio (2002-2004), Mrs. Maridel E. Edera (2004-2005), Dr. Noemi D. Lim (2005-2007), Ms. Fe L. Espina (2007-2014), Mrs. Jesel D. Gorgod (2014-2015), Mrs. Amada G. Bausing (2015-2019), Mrs. Janebeth M. Paredes (2019-2024), and at present, Mrs. Jesel D. Gorgod.
At present, as a complete mono grade school with two sections by grade level, the school is manned by a School Principal, for instructional leadership and sound administrative management. The present administration together with the AO II and 17 teachers ( 11- Teacher I, 5 - Teacher III and 1- Master Teacher I ) are exerting efforts to sustain and improve existing programs and projects of the school for the good of its clienteles.
Mabua Elementary School is a medium school compromising the Surigao City Division. Currently, it has the total enrolment of 423, it is performing as regard to the academic competences and multiple intelligences needing and developing holistic learners. This school is highlighted as culture-based in performing in sports particularly in ARNIS and TAEKWONDO. Recently, it has ranked on top in the division in ARNIS event.