Senator Win Gatchalian emphasized the need for various solutions to address the perennial shortage of classrooms in the country.
According to the Department of Education, there is a shortage of about 165,443 classrooms as of 2023.
To address this issue, Gatchalian said an estimated budget of P413.6 billion is needed.
Among his proposed solutions is the implementation of a “counterpart program,” where local government units (LGUs) cover 50% of the cost of constructing new classrooms, while the national government shoulders the other 50%.
He also mentioned that the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) could help reduce overcrowded public schools.
Public-private partnerships could be another way to tackle the classroom shortage, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said.
“Dahil napakarami pang kulang na silid-aralan sa ating bansa at sa laki ng halagang kakailanganin natin upang mapunan ang naturang kakulangan, kailangang humanap tayo ng iba’t ibang mga paraan upang matugunan ang hamong ito,” said Gatchalian.
“Kung hindi tayo magiging maparaan sa pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan, patuloy lamang na lalaki ang mga kakulangang haharapin natin,” he added.IMT
