More classrooms eyed in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s Local School Board (LSB) has laid out plans to advance a comprehensive agenda for public schools, focusing on the urgent need for more classrooms, renewable energy adoption, and learner support.

In its latest meeting, the board discussed the proposed construction of 41 new school buildings with a total of 1,014 classrooms.

These were broken down into 850 classrooms for elementary schools and 164 classrooms for secondary schools.

The proposed classroom construction spans a wide range of building types, from two-storey structures to high-rise school facilities.

Among the elementary schools, Alaska, Banawa, Banilad, Barrio Luz, and Budla-an are set to receive four-storey buildings with 20 classrooms each, while Camp Lapu-Lapu Elementary School will have a six-storey building with 32 classrooms.

Talamban and Tejero Elementary Schools are slated for eight-storey buildings with 48 classrooms each, reflecting the city’s push toward vertical expansion in densely populated areas.

The tallest proposed structures are in Pardo, where two 10-storey units will be built, each with 10 classrooms.

For secondary schools, projects include a three-storey building with nine classrooms at Bitlang National High School, a six-storey building with 20 classrooms at Vicente Cosido National High School (Cambinocot), and an eight-storey building with 40 classrooms at Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School, which will serve both day and night students.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has acknowledged that the classroom shortage remains severe nationwide, including in Cebu City.

Officials said several existing classrooms and buildings have been deemed unfit for use or require major repairs following the 2025 Bogo earthquake and Typhoon Tino.

The shortage has forced public schools to adopt double-shift schedules and, in some cases, even open night high schools to accommodate the growing student population.

The meeting also discussed solar energy projects and the provision of school kits and P.E. uniforms for learners beginning in 2027.

Mayor Nestor Archival was joined by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Nimfa Bongo, LSB overseer and former councilor Joy Augustus Young, and Liga ng mga Barangay-Cebu City president Franklyn Ong, who now chairs the City Council’s education committee.

Ong emphasized the importance of equity in education.

“Providing school kits and uniforms is more than symbolic support. It is a direct investment in our learners, ensuring that no child is left behind because of financial constraints,” he said.

Archival added, “Padayon ta sa pagtinabangay aron mapalig-on ang atong mga eskwelahan, mapauswag ang learning environment, ug masiguro nga ang atong mga kabataan adunay mas maayong lugar ug suporta alang sa ilang edukasyon.”

The solar program forms a key part of Archival’s education agenda.

The solar energy installations now being planned for public schools are intended not only to cut electricity costs but also to serve as practical learning tools for students. — /MRM (FREEMAN)