DepEd, DPWH team up to address 165K classroom shortage

The Department of Education (DepEd) has vowed to urgently address the country's shortage of 165,000 classrooms through a partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the project will prioritize the construction of disaster-resilient classrooms nationwide, with the DPWH directly managing funds from procurement to actual construction to ensure faster implementation.

In a press conference, Angara revealed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already included a "special provision" for DepEd under the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

"Nagpasok tayo ng Special Provision on flexibility sa 2026 NEP dahil madalas ding tumutugon ang DPWH sa mga kalamidad (We placed a special provision on flexibility in the 2026 NEP because the DPWH has also been a responder during calamities)," Angara said.

The provision allows DepEd to collaborate with other agencies or multiple implementers to prevent delays and ensure that classroom construction begins without interruption next year.

Angara also pointed out that construction costs vary, with non-government organizations able to build classrooms for P1.5 million to P2 million each, while DPWH's estimates range from P2.5 million to P3.8 million.

The education sector remains the top-funded in the proposed 2026 NEP, reflecting the government's commitment to close the classroom gap and improve school infrastructure. Angara stressed that building enough classrooms is not just about infrastructure, but also about enhancing the quality of education and providing students with safe, conducive learning spaces.