Classrooms enough for K-12 this schoolyear, says DepEd official

An official of the Department of Education on Monday assured that there are enough classrooms for the K-12 program for schoolyear 2017-2018.

"Opo, kasi 'yung preparasyon natin sa senior high school, nagsimula mga 2014, 2015 pagdating sa usapin ng silid-aralan at other facilities," DepEd Usec. Jesus Mateo said in an interview on Unang Balita.

"Sa katunayan, kung titingnan natin 'yung budget natin, pataas ng pataas 'yan at 'yung bulk niyan ay napupunta sa senior high school," he said.

Schoolyear 2017-2018 marks the first time that public schools will offer Grade 12.

Mateo also said that the DepEd is focused on improving the teacher-pupil ratio and classroom-pupil ratio.

"Kada taon, dinadahan-dahan nating ibaba 'yan. Sa katunayan 'yung national average ng teacher-pupil ratio ay 1:32 sa elementary," he said.

"Sa Metro Manila, iba ang sitwasyon sa Metro Manila dahil ang problema natin dito ay espasyo, availability of space," Mateo explained.

Brigada Eskwela

Mateo said the DepEd's annual Brigada Eskwela program brings back the spirit of bayanihan. The DepEd works with local government to help address problems such as lack of roads and bridges that students need to reach their schools.

"Tuloy-tuloy naman kasi ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin du'n sa lokal na pamahalaan. Kasi ang laging sinasabi natin ang paaralan ay hindi lang pang-Kagawaran ng Edukasyon... Hindi lang local government 'yan, hindi lang DepEd 'yan, pati 'yung buong community. Mapa-private 'yan o public 'yan, kailangan tulungan natin," he said.

The Brigada Eskwela program was launched on Monday nationwide, with teachers, students, parents, local government, and other parties joining hands to prepare classrooms and school buildings for the coming schoolyear.

Mateo however also called for support for schools in far-flung areas.

"Nananawagan din kami, bagamat sinusuportahan 'yung karamihan sa ating paaralan, (na suportahan din) 'yung mga community-based learning centers tulad ng mga nasa Mindanao kung saan binibigyan natin ng kinder learning centers 'yung mga nasa malayong lugar at lalo na dun sa conflict affected areas," he said.

War on drugs

Mateo also said the DepEd is working on the implementation of random drug testing in schools.

"Inilalatag na natin ang plano na magkaroon ng random drug testing," he said.

The Brigada Eskwela program also has earthquake drills and other activities.

"Dito sa Brigada natin, mayroon po tayong kampanya maliban sa mga earthquake drills. Balita ko sa Region 10, meron pa ngang medical mission, may Operation Tuli at kung anu-ano pang programa para maakit 'yung ating mga kababayan, mga kabataan na makapasok sa ating mga paaralan," he said. —KG, GMA News