A school in General Santos City is set to implement shifting of classes due to lack of classrooms for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

The school has almost 700 students for the new school year.

Officials of Jose Lansang Elementary School in Barangay Lagao explained that two makeshift classrooms can no longer be used due to their deteriorated condition.

Construction of a two-story building with eight classrooms remains unfinished after four years.

“Dugay dugay na siya gitugod pero hangtud karon wala pa nahuman. Dili man na nato sila pwede ibutang sa ilalom sa punuan, although education, learning happen everywhere naman pero mas nindot gyud naa sila sa sulod sa classroom,” Jose Lansang Elementary School Principal, Glory Jean Malunes, said.

Meanwhile, the school is preparing for Brigada Eskwela activities to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more organized learning environment.

School officials urged parents and other stakeholders to participate in the upcoming Brigada Eskwela through physical labor such as painting and carpentry, material donations including paint and cleaning supplies, service support like providing snacks and water for volunteers, and technical assistance such as printing materials.

Officials emphasized that the “No collection policy” will be enforced strictly, prohibiting teachers from soliciting or receiving cash donations during the activities and enrollment period as the Brigada Eskwela coincides with school enrollment.

“Siyempre, kana boluntaryo lang na ginahangyo namu sa ilaha, dili na compulsory. Sa ila lang gugma,” Malunes said.

“I would like also to inform the public na ang teachers are not allowed to collect or to receive cash donations during Brigada Eskwela and even during the enrollment period,” DepEd Gensan Education Program Supervisor, Kenneth Carisma, added.

DepEd said more than half of the city’s 118 schools have damages possibly caused by aging structures and past earthquakes.

“Most na nakita natin sa building nasa 50-to 70 percent of our building ay kailangan talaga ng repair dahil dilapidated or kailanagn ng improvement,” Carisma said.

However, all issues, including the problem on classroom shortages, have already been raised to the national government.