The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced a significant initiative to construct 15,000 new classrooms across the Philippines, starting in 2025. This ambitious project is part of a collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, formalized through a $1 million Technical Assistance Agreement signed on December 20, 2024. Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that this move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision to enhance educational quality and the learning environment. The initiative falls under the third phase of the PPP for School Infrastructure Program, which aims to streamline the planning and execution to tackle the persistent issue of classroom shortages. The construction will span approximately 1,600 schools in nine regions, aiming to alleviate classroom overcrowding and improve the educational experience for over 600,000 students. Additionally, DepEd is considering comprehensive packages for these new classrooms, which could include sustainable energy solutions, Internet connectivity, water systems, and necessary furniture and fixtures. The department is also exploring other innovative PPP features such as bundled campus development and the inclusion of school libraries and other essential infrastructure. This comes at a time when DepEd has reported an increased classroom deficit, now standing at 165,000, up from the previous figure of 159,000.
DepEd and PPP Center Partner to Build 15,000 Classrooms with $1 Million Deal
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