MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) is turning to an innovative stopgap measure to ease the nationwide classroom shortage — by leasing unused or closed private school buildings and other idle facilities that can be swiftly converted into learning spaces.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move is part of DepEd’s push to adopt “creative and practical solutions” that deliver results faster than the traditional infrastructure route.
“We need to think creatively if we want to move fast,” Angara stressed. “If there are schools or buildings sitting idle that can be used, let’s open them for the benefit of our learners who need classrooms now.”
The agency, in partnership with the Student First Coalition (SFC) and other government bodies, has launched a Classroom Market Scoping Activity to map available facilities nationwide and explore potential collaboration models with private property owners and developers.
During the activity, DepEd showcased its Standard Classroom Specifications, detailed the classroom backlog, and presented the framework for its Leasing Pilot Program, which aims to provide temporary learning spaces within months rather than years.
DepEd Undersecretary for Strategic Management Ronald Mendoza said the initiative redefines how government and the private sector can work together to solve long-standing education infrastructure gaps.
“This effort turns the classroom shortage crisis into an opportunity for collaboration and innovation,” Mendoza said. “Instead of waiting two to three years for new classrooms to be constructed, we are identifying existing facilities that can be adapted within six months to meet students’ needs.”
DepEd clarified that the leasing plan will complement, not replace, existing programs such as the Flexible School Building Implementation Plan and ongoing public-private partnerships for classroom construction.
The findings from the scoping activity will be used in the upcoming Classroom Summit, where DepEd will present policy reforms and finalize models aimed at accelerating classroom delivery nationwide./PN
