MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to work with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hasten the construction of more classroom buildings.
In an ambush interview on Monday during his visit to Carmona National High School, Education Secretary Sonny Angara admitted that one of the challenges in the current procurement system of the agency is the validation process.
“Hindi nakaka-construct dahil ‘di nava-validate yung ibang school sites, may mga problema ‘dun sa kung may titulo na ‘yung lupa, may problema kung hindi pala kaya nung lupain ‘yung multi-story building, so ‘yung tinatawag na (We can’t construct because other schools sites are not being validated, like if it has a land title, problem with the land being uncapable of a multi-story building in it, what they call the) soil test,” Angara explained.
The DepEd chief is looking forward to addressing the problem before the year ends and start constructing more classroom buildings by January next year.
“Kailangan magbago ‘yung current system na ‘yun at nakikita ko ‘yung early procurement activities na tinatawag. Ginagawa ho yan sa Department of Public Works. Sana gawin din namin (We need to change the current system and I am eyeing the so-called early procurement activities. It is being done in the Department of Public Works. I hope we can also do it) through coordination between DepEd and DPWH,” Angara said.
Angara earlier reported that the country still needs to build 159,000 classrooms, which increases by 12,000 per year.
Last year, DepEd proposed to spend PHP397 billion to build the needed classrooms which will cost PHP2 million each.
Meanwhile, Angara assured that DepEd can now access the funds for the repair of school buildings that were damaged by Typhoon Carina.
Marred by lack of classrooms
In Dumaguete City, the school opening was marred by a lack of classrooms.
However, Dr. Juditha Mapue, chief of the curriculum implementation department of the City Schools Division, said additional classrooms are being constructed to accommodate all learners.
While the classrooms are being built, the DepEd is adopting a shifting schedule so that classes are not interrupted.
“The first shift begins at 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the second shift will start at 12 p.m. and will end at 6 p.m.,” Mapue said.
“We are doing that because we lack classrooms in some elementary and high schools here,” she added.
The seven schools in need of additional classrooms are Junob National High School (12); Piapi High School (9); Batinguel Elementary School (14); Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial-Dumaguete Science High School (15); West City Elementary School (12); Cantil-e Elementary School (12); and Camanjac Elementary School (4).
Some PHP197.5 million is allocated for the classrooms to address the shortage and to replace dilapidated school buildings.
Mapue said only 70 percent of last year’s enrollees have so far enrolled.
Records showed that in school year 2023-2024, a total of 15,387 elementary learners, 9,507 Junior High School, and 8,3396 Senior High school students were enrolled in public schools here.
As of 10 a.m. Monday, DepEd recorded 10,977 grade school learners, 4,600 Junior High, and 2,494 Senior High school students enrolled.
She said the enrollment is expected to increase in the next two weeks.
Effective implementation of MATATAG CURRICULUM
Meanwhile, Angara’s former colleague, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, urged the DepEd to ensure the effective implementation of the MATATAG curriculum which entails teachers’ readiness and the availability of quality learning materials.
“Matagal nating hinintay ang paglunsad ng MATATAG curriculum at ngayong sisimulan na natin ang pagpapatupad nito, mahalagang ibigay natin sa ating mga guro ang suportang kinakailangan nila (We have waited long the launching of MATATAG curriculum and now we started to implement this, it is important to give the support the teachers needed),” he said in a news release on Monday.
Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said MATATAG curriculum focuses on individual learners, strives to build globally literate and future-ready citizens, and seeks to address current and future educational concerns.
He said this year’s national budget allotted more than PHP700 million for the in-service training of public school teachers, administrators, and education support personnel, and to support the implementation of the MATATAG curriculum.
MATATAG stands for MAke the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision facilities; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusiveness learning, and positive learning environment; and Give support for teachers to teach better. (With a report from Leonel Abasola/PNA)