DepEd to fast-track completion of over 8K classrooms

The Department of Education (DepEd) is stepping up efforts to complete thousands of unfinished classrooms nationwide while preparing to broaden school building delivery options beginning in 2026 to address persistent shortages in basic education facilities.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said DepEd is closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which has been tasked in recent years with constructing public school buildings, to fast-track the completion and turnover of delayed projects.

“Batay sa pinakahuling datos, lagpas 8,000 classroom projects ang sabay-sabay na tinatrabaho para sa 2024 at 2025. Nasa 3,600 classrooms na ang natapos ng DPWH, at ang natitira ay patuloy na tinututukan para agad makumpleto at magamit ng ating mga mag-aaral,” Angara said.

(Based on the latest data, more than 8,000 classroom projects for 2024 and 2025 are underway simultaneously. Around 3,600 classrooms have already been completed by DPWH, and the rest are being closely monitored so they can be finished and used by our learners as soon as possible.)

Funding, validation underway

DepEd said it maintains a consolidated inventory of unfinished classroom projects from previous years. To address the backlog, the department proposed ₱3.192 billion under the 2026 national budget to complete 3,614 classrooms, but Congress approved P2.282 billion, sufficient to fund the completion of 2,067 classrooms.

Despite the funding gap, Angara said the department is pushing forward with concrete measures in line with the President’s directive to prioritize school infrastructure and learner safety.

As part of these efforts, DepEd and DPWH are conducting joint nationwide validation activities covering 384 schools with unfinished or for-completion classroom projects. The validation aims to determine the physical status of each project, remaining scope of work, funding requirements, and site readiness to prioritize classrooms for immediate completion.

Broader delivery options eyed

While addressing ongoing DPWH-led projects, Angara said DepEd is also laying the groundwork for more flexible classroom delivery approaches starting in 2026, including stronger participation from local government units (LGUs) and partnerships with the private sector.

“Sa mga nagdaang taon, sabay-sabay naming inaayos ang mga naiwan at hindi natapos na silid-aralan. Para sa 2026 pataas, mas pinalalawak namin ang mga opsyon—kasama ang mas aktibong partisipasyon ng LGUs at iba pang flexible approaches tulad ng public-private partnerships—para mas mabilis at mas akma sa pangangailangan ng bawat komunidad ang solusyon,” Angara said.

(In recent years, we have been simultaneously fixing classrooms that were left unfinished. Starting 2026, we are expanding our options—including more active participation from LGUs and other flexible approaches such as public-private partnerships—so solutions can be faster and better suited to each community’s needs.)

NCR talks, 2026 targets

As part of efforts to further address classroom shortages, Angara met with mayors from the National Capital Region on February 4, where DepEd presented guidelines for school building projects under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. The discussion covered eligibility requirements for LGUs and alternative solutions such as leasing and repairing existing facilities.

Angara said talks on classroom construction targets for DPWH implementation in 2026 are still ongoing.

“Mayroon ding naka-program para sa 2026, bagama’t patuloy pa itong pinag-uusapan. Ayon kay Secretary Vince Dizon, nasa humigit-kumulang 1,500 hanggang 2,000 classrooms ang target na maipatayo sa ilalim ng new construction para sa 2026,” he said.
(There are also projects programmed for 2026, although discussions are still ongoing. According to Secretary Vince Dizon, the target is around 1,500 to 2,000 classrooms to be built under new construction for 2026.)

Angara stressed that sustained coordination among DepEd, DPWH, LGUs, and the private sector remains crucial to accelerating infrastructure solutions and ensuring that public funds translate into safe, functional learning spaces for students.