DepEd urged to disclose classroom backlog

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) was asked yesterday to disclose the actual figures on classroom shortages.

Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco said the DepEd has claimed putting up 66,813 classrooms, apparently wiping out the backlog of 66,810.

The chairman of the House of Representatives committee on basic education and culture said the problem is that the backlog was based on 2010 figures.

Her office has been trying to get figures on classrooms from 2011 to this year, she added.

The House has started reviewing the performance of the DepEd in preparation for budget deliberations, Cojuangco said.

However, the DepEd said it was still gathering data.

Speaking to reporters, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said lawmakers will seek an immediate and detailed explanation from Education Secretary Armin Luistro, who said no more classroom shortages exist this school year.

“But in Leyte alone, thousands of our elementary and high school students are holding classes in tents and makeshift classrooms,” he said.

Romualdez said he has received numerous reports of classroom congestion in Metro Manila.

“So what no more classroom shortage are the President and Secretary Luistro talking about?” he said.