Books and computers are stored away temporarily as North Central Elementary School in Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City converts its library and ICT room into classrooms to accommodate Grade 4 students.

Hundreds of books from the library are now stacked inside a storage room. The school also stored more than 20 computer units in another storage area inside the school canteen.

"Yung mga books, na-stock sa storage room at hindi nagagamit ng mga bata," Aljon Landingin, a Grade 4 teacher, said.

"As much as possible, mas maganda pag may library para mas lumawak ang kanilang kaisipan," Landingin added.

Despite the lack of facilities, learning continues. Teachers use laptops and each classroom is equipped with a TV monitor to support teaching.

“For this school year, talagang hindi siya magagamit pero kung fully functional na yung new building, magkakaroon na ulit ng ICT room, puwede na ulit magamit,” Michaela Bernardo, the ICT coordinator, said.

As of this writing, 171 Grade 4 students are affected by the classroom shortage. The school’s leadership said the conversion of key facilities was a necessary step while waiting for a new school building.

Construction is underway for a three-story building with nine classrooms. This project is led by the local government.

“‘Wag kayong mag-alala mga mag-aaral ng Grade 4, dahil ‘yung ating classroom ay ginagawan ng paraan na matapos agad, para maging kumportable kayo sa inyong silid-aralan,” Head Teacher II Cristina Villanueva said.

The school administration also hopes the new building will include a new library and ICT room, so students can go back to learning with better resources.