DepEd 7 utilizes facilities to address lack of classrooms in Central Visayas
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, May 24 (PIA) -- Though Central Visayas lacks the adequate number of classrooms to accommodate an increasing number of school children this coming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) 7 is utilizing other facilities to ensure that access to basic education is provided especially to the poor.
DepEd 7 Acting Regional Director Dr. Carmelita Dulangon admitted that the region lacks around 2,000 standard-type classrooms with a size of 7 x 8 feet.
“But the lack of classrooms should not be a deterrent to provide access to basic education for all especially the poor in far-flung areas,” said Dulangon.
“To address the lack of classrooms, we are using whatever facilities we have in our public schools such as the school library, industrial arts building, home economics building, and even the stage,” added Dulangon.
Dulangon said that if this is not enough, “then we will be coordinating with the barangay captains for the use of the chapels. In a worse-case scenario, then the office of the principal will have to be utilized as a classroom.”
“We just want to assure parents that no child will be turned away when classes begin just because we do not have sufficient classrooms,” bared Dulangon.
Of the 2,000 classrooms, the biggest shortage comes from Cebu having the highest number of student population, the DepEd 7 chief said.
Dulangon said some local government units and even some congressmen are very supportive on their concerns by giving out funding to build additional school buildings.
“We are also partnering with the private sector in our school building program,” she added.
Even in quake-hit towns of Negros Oriental where school buildings were destroyed due to the strong earthquake last February, the DepEd 7 is fast-tracking the construction of four school buildings, wherein two out of the four planned school buildings have already been up for bidding.
With less than two weeks away before the schedule of classes, the DepEd 7 stated that they are coordinating with the local government units of the quake-hit towns for the putting up of makeshift roof cover that will serve as temporary classrooms.
“The bottom line is the DepEd provides access to education to all students,” stressed Dulangon. (PIA-Cebu)