House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro Seeks Additional Classrooms Due to Scorching Heat
The House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro seeks additional classrooms due to the hot weather conditions.
On Tuesday (April 2, 2024), Castro explained the heat serves as an eye-opener to address the challenges faced by the education sector in the country. He emphasized the urgent need for additional classrooms with adequate ventilation in public schools.
The official made the call after numerous schools across the country declared the cancellation of face-to-face classes due to the scorching temperature caused by El Niño.
“The current heat index experienced by our students and teachers should serve as a wake-up call to prioritize the construction of additional classrooms and the improvement of ventilation systems in our schools,” said Castro.
“It is unjust for our learners and educators to suffer in unbearable conditions that directly affect their health, well-being, and academic performance,” she added.
Castro explained that the heat causes discomfort and poses a barrier to the right to quality education.
The ACT Teachers party-list Rep called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the government to allocate sufficient funds to build the necessary infrastructure in schools. She revealed that the education budget this year is P924 billion, while the expected GDP is P25.4 trillion. Six percent of the expected GDP is around P1.5 trillion.
“We cannot delay the provision of adequate infrastructure any longer. It is the responsibility of the government, particularly the DepEd, to prioritize the well-being and learning conditions of our students and teachers,” she stressed.
The politician explained that investing in the construction of more classrooms and improving ventilation systems is an investment in the future of our nation.
Earlier, the Education Department announced that schools could shift to alternative modes of learning if extreme heat necessitates the suspension of face-to-face classes.
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