Schools in Pangasinan are facing a shortage of teachers, which has led to an increase in the workload of educators who are now handling up to eight subjects.
At Banaoang Elementary School in Calasiao, Pangasinan, 342 students have returned to classes with 16 teachers assigned from Kinder to Grade 6.
This results in a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:26, which Principal Edna Cornista said as manageable.
"Regarding sa number of teachers, so far, okay naman, ang number of teachers. We have a total of 16… okay ang ratio namin," Cornista said.
However, the situation is more challenging at Doyong-Malabago National High School, which serves over 1,400 students.
While the number of teachers for junior high is adequate, there is a pressing need for additional staff in the senior high school division.
The shortage has led to teachers managing up to seven or more subjects, compared to the previous six.
"Kasi mas madaming subjects ang senior high compared sa junior. Eight subjects lang sila [sa junior]. Sa senior, nine to 10 subjects sila per semester," Dr. Chona Samson, Principal IV at Doyong-Malabago National High School, said.
The school administration has requested additional teachers from the DepEd Regional Office 1, specifically for subjects such as:
- Filipino,
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT),
- English, Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH)
- Social Studies
The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 1 said they're addressing the teacher shortage actively through ongoing field monitoring and efforts to fill vacant positions.
"Ang directives kasi, kung just in case may mga vacant positions sa mga school division offices ay kailangan na mapunan na ‘yan," Cesar Bucsit, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at DepEd-1, said.
