DepEd: We still lack classrooms, teachers

CEBU, Philippines - Even as Brigada Eskwela already started yesterday, the Department of Education Cebu City Division said there are still problems being encountered with implementation of the K to 12 program.

Dr. Bianito Dagatan, DepEd Cebu City Schools Superintendent, said for now they are dealing with the lack of classrooms and teachers; the construction of classrooms in some schools offering Senior High School are not yet done, while 305 available positions for senior high school teachers also have yet to be filled.

Dagatan said of 500 applicants, there were only few who are qualified for being a senior high teacher, considering that the department set different standards for the applicants.

Dagatan cited standards like the applicant must have working experience, and must be a degree holder.

He admitted the 305 vacancies may not be filled by applicants in time for classes, in this case the DepEd Central Office has allowed them to hire a contractual teacher for the sake of completing the new set items.

When asked why some teacher applicants were not qualified, he said they lacked work experience.

Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor said that there were factors that delayed the construction of new classrooms in schools offering senior high.

“Wala’y klarong area, naa’y area nga angay i-demolish but first the principal of the school must make a demolition request and naa’y lugar nga naa’y kahoy so dapat mohimo pa ta’g request from DENR (Department of Environment and National Resources),” Leonor said.

Dagatan, however, assured that there will be temporary classrooms for students when classes start.

Meanwhile, public schools in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu started the Brigada Eskwela yesterday morning.Lapu-Lapu City's DepEd will hold another brigada eskwela in Olango Island today.

Schools Division Superintendent Arden Monisit of Mandaue City said the Brigada Eskwela is a way of welcoming senior high school.

"Pagpahibaw sad ni or to inform everybody nga the Department of Education is ready for senior high school, kay mao man atong gi-open. Kami diri sa Department of Education, ready na pud sa pag-fully implement og K to 12," Monisit said.

As to the lack of teachers, Monisit said they have addressed this problem to the central office while the lack of classrooms will be handled by DWPH.

The theme for this year's Brigada Eskwela is "Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos at Handa Mula sa Kindergarten Hanggang Senior High School."  (FREEMAN)