Classroom shortage to worsen by 2028

The country’s current classroom shortage is expected to worsen as around 51,000 public school buildings are projected to age out by 2028.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

With this development, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) warned that the Department of Education (DepEd) could face a major “replacement challenge” unless a long-term, sustainable school infrastructure plan is implemented to address aging classrooms and persistent overcrowding.

In a statement issued on Feb. 9, EDCOM II said the Philippines is facing a deepening public school infrastructure crisis, with thousands of classrooms projected to be condemned within three years. This would further compound the country's already severe classroom shortage, currently estimated at 165,443 units.

Citing its Final Report titled "Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform (2026-2035)," EDCOM II warned that the growing classroom backlog is being worsened by the rapid aging and deterioration of existing school buildings nationwide.

Aging school buildings EDCOM II noted that under DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2021, standard public school classrooms are designed to last 25 years.

However, administrative data cited by the Commission show that out of approximately 329,716 school buildings nationwide, about 122,518 have already exceeded their intended design life.