Mandaue DepEd needs more teachers, classrooms

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education in Mandaue City will need more classrooms and teachers as it expects the student population in public schools to grow as students from the private schools escape from increased tuition.

Benjamin Tiongzon, the administrator of DepEd in Mandaue City, yesterday said the division office expects the population in the elementary level to rise by 5 percent and three percent in the high school level.

Tiongzon said that based on their data at least 280 teachers are needed for this school year in the elementary level while a total of 218 teachers are also needed in the secondary level based in the ratio of 1 teacher for every 45 students.

At the moment, 63 slots are open for teachers, 11 for kindergarten, 31 for elementary, and 21 for high school.

But Tiongzon said the city will need more than 63.

Because of the shortage, the division office might resort to holding double-shift classes. Also being considered are extension classes that will be handled by teachers hired with the help of the Special Education Fund.

 Tiongzon said the Mandaue DepEd is in dire need of classrooms.

He said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia promised to build 20 classrooms in Mandaue City last year, but this never materialized.

The classrooms were supposed to be built at City Central School.

The elementary level needs 215 classrooms while the secondary level needs 218 classrooms.

But through the help of the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., 26 classrooms are being constructed.

The Aboitiz Foundation has allotted P27.1 million for the construction of the classrooms.  (FREEMAN)