In Lapu-Lapu City DepEd wrestles with classroom deficiency

CEBU, Philippines - With only two weeks to go before classes open, officials of the Department of Education in Lapu-Lapu City agonize over lack of classrooms.

Classrooms at the Marigondon National High School are being constructed, but education officials, try as they may to sound cheerful, say the problem continues to hang around.

The city needs at least 378 classrooms to accommodate all public elementary and high school students enrolled this year.

School principals see tarpaulins going up if the city’s sports complex can’t have room for everybody.

Earlier, Mayor Paz Radaza tried to extend a hand but she said the city’s Special Education Fund was not enough to construct the needed number of classrooms.

The Freeman learned that one classroom costs about P700,000 to build, apart from chairs and blackboards.

The SEF is also being used to pay salaries of teachers hired by the city government.  (FREEMAN)