As classes resume for Academic Year 2026–2027, overcrowded classrooms have emerged as a major challenge at Mangaldan Integrated School SPED Center where growing enrollment is forcing students and teachers to adjust to limited learning spaces.

The school has enrolled a total of 2,240 learners from kindergarten to senior high school this year, including students under Special Needs Education (SNED). With classroom shortages persisting, school administrators said they have no choice but to maximize available spaces, resulting in crowded learning conditions.

Some classrooms now accommodate between 45 and 55 students.

“Medyo overcrowded kasi ’yung space ng mga classroom, maliliit talaga compared sa mga standard na classroom,” Dr. Leo Blaquir, Principal IV of Mangaldan Integrated School SPED Center, said.

To address the shortage, some classes are being held in makeshift or temporary learning spaces.

Teachers said the setup has become increasingly difficult, especially with noise and heat affecting classroom conditions. Some have started using lapel microphones so students can hear lessons more clearly.

“Nasa survival mode kami, not only the temperature pero pati sa noise. Siyempre maingay din sa kabilang classroom,” Flora May Ibañez, one of the teachers, said.

Students also shared the challenges of studying in overcrowded rooms.

“Sobrang hirap mag-concentrate, mainit,” Erich Baltazar, a student, said.

“Maingay at mainit po,” Kram Sanchez, another student, added.

Because of the current setup, the school administration said implementing shifting schedules is not considered practical.

“Yung shifting ng klase kasi sobrang aga kaya ma-sacrifice ’yung attendance ng mga bata,” Blaquir said.

School officials said additional facilities are already in the pipeline. Three new classrooms funded by the local government are expected to open in the coming months, while construction of a new school building with 20 classrooms is also planned to help ease congestion and improve learning conditions.