Amid the Congestion in Schools, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara Rallies Support To Respond to Classroom Shortage
DEPED – The Department of Education confirmed that it is eyeing to implement the “4+1” blended learning model in schools.
The education department which is currently under the lead of Sec. Sonny Angara is exerting efforts to deal with the classroom shortage that usually results to congested classrooms. Truth be told that there is a huge number of learners in most schools in the Philippines.
Under the 2026 budget, the Department of Education placed classroom repair and rehabilitation at the center of its goals. The department is allocated the biggest budget among the key departments based on the national fund for this year — P1.015 trillion allocated for the department.
Then, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara reiterated the department’s commitment in strengthening learning continuity in areas affected by the natural disasters. He also affirmed that the department will also give attention on mental health as well as the well-being of learners and teachers.
Recently, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara revealed that the department is eyeing the “4+1” blended learning model to address the congestion in schools. Based on a report on PhilStar, the said learning setup will be composed of four (4) days of on-site learning and one (1) day intended for online learning.
Furthermore, according to Angara, they are also looking into leasing or acquiring foreclosed private properties that could rapidly pave the way for around 1,000 classrooms amid the shortage of learning areas. Aside from it, the department is also seeking for donations from the private sector for 2,000 more classrooms.
“We are no longer content with the old system. We are changing the way we deliver to make it faster, more efficient, more effective and more transparent,” the DepEd Secretary said at the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding between Department of Education and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.
Based on the report, the event formalized the nationwide effort of the department to boost the classroom construction. There were over 1,300 municipal mayors who attended the event and Angara stressed that the department is implementing several measures to resolve the gap with regards to the classroom needs.
“Education is a shared responsibility, and our LGUs are the best-positioned partners to ensure these funds are translated into actual, usable classrooms for our learners,” Angara said.
Recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a 4-day work week in some agencies of the government amid the oil price hike in the Philippines triggered by the escalating tension in the Middle East. Following the announcement, DepEd clarified that the 4-day work week only applies to their non-teaching personnel.