THE Department of Education (DepEd) in Central Visayas is prepared for the opening of classes in June this year despite the lack of classrooms in public schools, said an official.
"We are definitely ready," said Amaryllis Villarmia, public relations officer of DepEd-Central Visayas, when asked of their readiness during a forum Wednesday, May 25.
Tomas Pastor, senior high school coordinator for DepEd regional office, said that 2,117 classrooms are required to be erected for Central Visayas, and out of this figure, 1,249 classrooms have yet to be completed and needed by June.
He said Carcar City will need 33 classrooms before October this year, while Cebu City requires 275.
The other towns and cities with the respective number of classrooms needed are as follows:
* Cebu Province - 293
* Naga City - 18
* Danao City - 49
* Lapu-Lapu City - 147
* Mandaue City - 49
* Tagbilaran City - 35
* Talisay City - 50
* Toledo City - 48
The DepEd is expecting 83,710 students to enroll in senior high school this year.
As a remedy for the classroom shortage, Villarmia said the schools may implement shifting of schedules, or congest students in one classroom.
"For example, if a classroom can hold 40 students, they can make it to 50," said Villarmia. (Elizah Maria dela Rosa, CNU intern)