165,000 Classrooms Short! DepEd Calls on Mayors Nationwide to Help Build Schools Faster
The Department of Education is sounding the alarm — the Philippines is short by a staggering 165,000 classrooms, and they're calling on local government units across the country to step up. Education Secretary Sonny Angara laid out the challenge during the 2026 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Pasay City, urging more than 1,300 municipal mayors to help fast-track school construction.
"We are no longer content with the old system," Angara said, outlining a multi-pronged strategy that includes building 30,000 classrooms by 2028 through conventional procurement and another 16,000 through public-private partnerships. DepEd is also exploring converting foreclosed private properties into around 1,000 classrooms and tapping private sector donations for 2,000 more learning spaces.
One interesting innovation being pushed is a "4+1" blended learning model — four days ng face-to-face classes plus one day of online learning — designed to ease overcrowding while schools catch up on infrastructure. DepEd is also expanding education vouchers to primary-level students to distribute enrollment more evenly between public and private institutions.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, LGUs are now authorized to act as primary implementers of school building projects alongside DPWH and the AFP Corps of Engineers. This means mayors can directly identify priority sites and speed up construction. Pre-fabricated Learning Continuity Spaces — a faster, cheaper alternative already piloted in Masbate and Davao del Norte — are also being rolled out, with 2,571 units scheduled for installation this year.
DepEd and the LMP signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize the partnership. Angara also encouraged municipalities to pool their Special Education Funds for larger initiatives like centralized school feeding kitchens. It's a massive undertaking, but the message is clear: building the future of Filipino students is now everyone's job, not just the national government's.
Source: GMA News
