MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released more than P15 billion to construct nearly 5,000 classrooms nationwide.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman recently approved a special allotment release order for P15.15 billion and the corresponding notice of cash allocation to the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education (DepEd).
At least 4,912 classrooms will be constructed in 1,194 areas.
The allocation will cover the construction, replacement and completion of kindergarten, elementary and secondary school buildings as well as technical-vocational laboratories.
It will also cover the installation and replacement of disability access facilities, construction of water and sanitation facilities as well as overall site improvement.
On the other hand, P131.43 million will be used for engineering and administrative overhead expenses.
These include hiring of workers, the conduct of preliminary and detailed engineering activities, pre-construction activities, construction project management and testing and quality control.
“We need to build and repair classrooms to keep up with increasing enrollment in our public schools,” Pangandaman said.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte had earlier said classroom shortage is the most urgent issue that should be addressed to bridge the education infrastructure gap.
President Marcos had committed to give priority to the construction of new classrooms as face-to-face classes resume.
Training for teachers
Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) stressed the need for comprehensive training of teachers and access to quality instructional materials for them to effectively implement the proposed changes in the basic education curriculum.
In a statement, the TDC said the proposed concepts in the revised curriculum can only be taught properly if the teachers are knowledgeable and sufficiently trained.
“It is upon DepEd’s shoulders to provide comprehensive training to teachers and create the proper environment where they have sufficient time and motivation to grow and further equip themselves for the daunting task of building the Filipino consciousness,” it said.
“An environment with creators of good and solid learning materials must also be designed into the system, where intellectual inbreeding and stagnation are given no room to take a foothold,” the group added.
The TDC acknowledged the proposed curriculum changes released by the DepEd last month, noting that some of the proposals are aligned with its call to strengthen civic and cultural studies, social sciences and humanities.
It welcomed some of the topics included in the draft revised curriculum, including martial law, corruption, human rights violations, gender issues and the West Philippine Sea dispute. – Janvic Mateo