Public schools in Western Visayas are making the most of their resources as up to 814,000 students returned to class on June 8, 2026. 

They went back to school facing a shortage of classrooms. 

Based on data from the Department of Education (DepEd)-6, Western Visayas still lacks up to 5,000 classrooms.

DepEd-6 spokesperson, Hernani Escullar, Jr., said the concern has been raised to the department’s central office.

“Ni-report na natin sa central office and it’s up to the central office na mag-identify sa pag-allocate ng budget for the construction of classrooms,” Escullar said.

The lack of classrooms is being felt certainly by the 6,477 learners who returned to school in Iloilo City National High School.

The school is forced to implement shifting of classes for students in Grade 7 to Grade 9.

Alpha Java, Principal of Iloilo City National High School, said two classroom buildings will be built within the year.

“Magpapatayo na sila within this year, dalawang twelve classrooms (building)… that makes 24. And then we have 10 classrooms within this year,” Java said.

The lack of classrooms is also felt by students of  Santa Barbara National Comprehensive School as they attend classes under the tree. A concrete wall is serving as their blackboard.

According to the school’s assistant principal, they need at least four classrooms.

For now, they will convert a stockroom and a risograph room into classrooms.

“Itong stockroom, i-convert namin ini into classroom at dito sa likuran na ginagamit na riso room, gagawin ring classroom upang matugunan ang pangangailangan,” said Felix Jun Cordero, Asst. School Principal for Operations of Santa Barbara National Comprehensive School.

The reopening of classes in Western Visayas went smoothly.

In several areas like in Antique, Aklan, and Guimaras, policemen were proactive in securing students.