DepEd launches Classroom Leasing Project to address school overcrowding

 DepEd launches Classroom Leasing Project to address school overcrowding

PILA, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) is leasing shuttered private school buildings to help ease classroom shortages in the country. 

In an interview during the inauguration of the country’s first Classroom Leasing Project at Don Manuel Rivera Memorial Integrated National High School (DMRMINHS) of this town last February 10, Secretary Sonny Angara noted that the government is eyeing to convert 700 to 800 private schools nationwide into additional learning spaces. 

“Siguro ay hindi ito ang huli dahil napag-alaman natin na nasa 700 o 800 ang private schools na nagsara noong pandemya. So kung ma-match natin ang kakulangan sa mga public schools na may kakulangan sa silid aralan, pwede natin i-lease.”

DepEd has earmarked approximately P1 billion in funding to decongest classrooms through various methods, including leasing arrangements. 

“Mayroon kaming mga tinitingnang school at kinakausap na rin namin yung mga local government chief executives, mga mayor at governor dahil sila ang nakakaalam sa lugar nila kung alin ‘yung malalapit at pwedeng lakarin ng mga estudyante.”

The Classroom Leasing Project is among DepEd’s new strategies to address nationwide classroom shortage-–an effort that is welcomed by teachers and students alike.

For teacher Sarah Jane Esguerra, who teaches Physics and Research subjects to Senior High School students, the additional facilities ensure a more comfortable environment where students can learn without cutting classes short to accommodate other sections. 

“Bilang isang science teacher, isa sa challenges na na-encounter ko ay yung space dahil maliit lang yung classroom namin, kapag may demonstration teaching, may experiment, mahirap para sa mga estudyante at limited lang rin po ang galaw,”

“Dahil shifting kami, 45 minutes lang ang subject wherein sa isang laboratory it takes two hours para maging successful ‘yung experiment. Talagang kulang kami sa oras dahil sa limited classrooms.”

As the first school in the country to benefit from the DepEd Classroom Leasing Project, DMRMINHS anticipates more collaborative and practical learning, especially in its science programs.  

“Nakakatuwa dahil ang mga estudyante ay magkakaroon na ng space designed for collaboration. Isa lang itong patunay na hindi lang ito temporary solution kundi nakikinig sila sa hinaing ng mga guro at nagbibigay ng mga solusyon para mabigyan ng quality education ang mga estudyante. Sa ating Secretary Angara, lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa inisyatibo pong ito.”

As one of the primary beneficiaries of the Classroom Leasing Program, student Elaijah Pahitan was among those who took the afternoon classes as part of the school’s shifting scheme due to the limited number of available classrooms. 

“Ang uwian po kasi namin ay mga six na po ng gabi, at very worried po ‘yung parents ko. Syempre po, madilim na rin po at mahirap na rin po kasi maghintay ng sasakyan pauwi.” 

With the new classrooms, Elijah and her classmates were welcomed with more comfortable learning spaces. 

“Dito sa current classroom namin, very spacious na po sya at very comfortable dahil may exhaust fans and yung lamesa po namin ay napakabago.”

Grateful for the improved learning environment, students at DMRMINHS have shown their appreciation by taking the initiative to assign among themselves cleaners who will help maintain the cleanliness of their classroom. 

“Gusto ko lang po magpasalamat sa DepEd at sa aming mga teacher because they created a safe environment for effective learning. Sana po sa mga susunod po na mga school na magkakaroon rin ng ganito ay sana magkaroon pa ng mas maraming opportunity para magkaroon rin ng ganitong project.” (PB-PIA CALABARZON)