Construction of more school buildings, classrooms a 'top priority': DepEd

As overcrowding was still an issue at the start of the new school year, the Department of Education promised on Thursday that it would give priority to constructing more classrooms and school buildings.

"That is a top priority of this administration. Gusto nating magpatayo ng more school buildings, classrooms, as well as supply enough school furniture for our learners and teachers," DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said

Poa was reacting to a statement issued Wednesday by the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC), which reiterated its demand for the DepEd to prioritize the construction of classrooms and hiring of teachers.

"Nakita naman po natin nitong first 3 weeks pa lang ng pasukan talagang problemado na ang ating mga paaralan. Maraming kulang na classrooms at kung sapat man ang classroom, wala namang teachers to handle classes," TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas, a high school teacher in Caloocan City, said in a statement.

Poa said the DepEd has asked Congress for a higher budget to construct school buildings, repair classrooms and provide sufficient school furniture.

"But we have to remind the general public na gusto man nating matapos iyan sa isang taon (that even though we want to accomplish this in a year), that will not be realistic," he said.

"Because we have budget constraints and we have to consider the absorptive capacity of [Department of Public Works and Highways] in putting up these school buildings," he added.
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