Reshaping futures with collaborations

At Iligan City's Sta. Filomena Central School (SFCS), teachers and students have carried the weight of a challenge too familiar: not enough classrooms for its learners.

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SFCS School Guidance Designate Helen Diez explained that the school only has 38 usable classrooms, while more are needed to serve its kindergarten, special needs education, and grade school population of 1,800.

"To achieve the one-teacher-to-one-classroom ratio, we really need at least 50 classrooms," Teacher Helen said.

At first, grade 1 pupils were placed on emergency schedules, a move that affected reading outcomes and left many struggling with comprehension. This prompted the school to restore their regular hours.

The same shortage has forced grade 6 sections into emergency classes. Sharing the limited classroom, morning groups attended from 6 a.m. to noon, while afternoon batches studied from noon to 6 p.m. This is two hours shorter than the regular schedule: morning sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon classes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

"The shortage of classrooms is a hindrance and an obstacle for the school," Teacher Helen shared. "The result of the emergency classes is not beneficial to the learners because their learning time is shortened. But our teachers here are very committed, and they have the passion to teach."