As the population of students in the Philippines continues to rise, school classrooms are no longer enough to support this large amount — facing a shortage in their learning space. It comes to a point where both administrators and teachers are forced to find temporary alternatives; an alternative which they think could work for a while.
These alternatives are comparable to applying a bandaid on a big wound. Supposedly, its purpose is to only cover small wounds to prevent the infestation of bacteria; it may help heal some parts but it only lasts for a while — until it grows and leads to more problems.
Due to this problem, an immense number of students are forced to be confined in a small room — where they should only accompany around 30 students. The overcrowded place makes it impossible for communication to be clear between the teacher and students — allowing learners to face another difficulty in learning. What an unfortunate situation to be in. While you’re already dealing with several problems in education because of how messed up the system is here in the country, you are given another one; but this time, it is in the learning environment.
This is a problem they think is comparable to the size of a pea when it is actually not; a ‘snowball effect’, as some call it— because, in the long run, cases could worsen.
There are these so-called “aisle learners” in which students are positioned to occupy the hallways of their buildings due to classroom overpopulation — they can no longer accompany the large amount for a space so small. It makes learning even more difficult to work on — a challenge to comprehend lessons and exchange of ideas with the educator. It creates a blockage — a hindrance for their development. At least 5.1 million learners in the country have experienced this, Senator Bam Aquino says.
How can a child digest lessons if they are sitting outside the classrooms? Does the teacher repeat it for them, too? Since, if that is the case, then the workloads of the educators are getting heavier. That is such a big effort to create just to be paid for a low price.
Just like how tight an aisle is — so is their knowledge capacity too. Due to this, schools are producing high school graduates who are just a victim of mass promotion. Those individuals who are given high grades — far from what they actually deserve just to move forward and move on. This has been an issue ever since — although, it is assured that the Department of Education, Secretary Sonny Angara, promises to address this since there are no laws existing that allow it. (reference)
It does not motivate them to learn more—but, it encourages laziness and illiteracy. No wonder why there are 19 million junior and senior high school graduates who are functionally illiterate, according to a study made by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), based from the 2024 FLEMMS.
Out of the 1,700 classrooms targeted this year by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), only 22 have been completed, according to Secretary Vince Dizon. This news is truly devastating to hear. And, what’s even worse is that this is already nationwide.
It will be understandable if this is only for two or three cities but it's nationwide… It indeed is a hopeless situation to face. How can even one progress?
It is not about how the government doesn’t allocate funds for the education department — in fact, President Marcos Jr. stated in his recent State of the Nation Address for this year, the government seeks for the betterment of our education system. Yet, why is it that we continue to face various problems in education, specifically this issue of classroom shortage? With the persistent corruption happening in smaller sectors of the government, we cannot expect for change to happen. When the budget's allocated, out of the blue moon it is taken away. Like their greed in money brings a bright future for all.
Senator Aquino proposed the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) that will help to speed up the construction process of classrooms, specifically in public schools. It may be a tiny step to take but it will create a significant change to boost the speed of constructing classrooms. Demands of it are currently high — we can no longer afford to let our future be destroyed due to this problem.
While there are funds and manpower existing, there should no longer be a reason for this issue to still exist. As we live in an era where the paradox of dissent and accountability continue to opt in; a troubling question still arises: Why, as a nation, cannot adapt such accountability when technological advancement continues to persist? Why can't we adapt these innovations to expand infrastructure? Agencies of the government should move and come as one — with better and permanent solutions —no longer with aids that are just to cover a small cut.
Perhaps, the shortage of funds isn’t truly a reason that hinders the nation’s development—but, it is the failure of handling them wisely and correctly with the absence of transparency.
These alternatives are comparable to applying a bandaid on a big wound. Supposedly, its purpose is to only cover small wounds to prevent the infestation of bacteria; it may help heal some parts but it only lasts for a while — until it grows and leads to more problems.
Due to this problem, an immense number of students are forced to be confined in a small room — where they should only accompany around 30 students. The overcrowded place makes it impossible for communication to be clear between the teacher and students — allowing learners to face another difficulty in learning. What an unfortunate situation to be in. While you’re already dealing with several problems in education because of how messed up the system is here in the country, you are given another one; but this time, it is in the learning environment.
This is a problem they think is comparable to the size of a pea when it is actually not; a ‘snowball effect’, as some call it— because, in the long run, cases could worsen.
There are these so-called “aisle learners” in which students are positioned to occupy the hallways of their buildings due to classroom overpopulation — they can no longer accompany the large amount for a space so small. It makes learning even more difficult to work on — a challenge to comprehend lessons and exchange of ideas with the educator. It creates a blockage — a hindrance for their development. At least 5.1 million learners in the country have experienced this, Senator Bam Aquino says.
How can a child digest lessons if they are sitting outside the classrooms? Does the teacher repeat it for them, too? Since, if that is the case, then the workloads of the educators are getting heavier. That is such a big effort to create just to be paid for a low price.
Just like how tight an aisle is — so is their knowledge capacity too. Due to this, schools are producing high school graduates who are just a victim of mass promotion. Those individuals who are given high grades — far from what they actually deserve just to move forward and move on. This has been an issue ever since — although, it is assured that the Department of Education, Secretary Sonny Angara, promises to address this since there are no laws existing that allow it. (reference)
It does not motivate them to learn more—but, it encourages laziness and illiteracy. No wonder why there are 19 million junior and senior high school graduates who are functionally illiterate, according to a study made by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), based from the 2024 FLEMMS.
Out of the 1,700 classrooms targeted this year by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), only 22 have been completed, according to Secretary Vince Dizon. This news is truly devastating to hear. And, what’s even worse is that this is already nationwide.
It will be understandable if this is only for two or three cities but it's nationwide… It indeed is a hopeless situation to face. How can even one progress?
It is not about how the government doesn’t allocate funds for the education department — in fact, President Marcos Jr. stated in his recent State of the Nation Address for this year, the government seeks for the betterment of our education system. Yet, why is it that we continue to face various problems in education, specifically this issue of classroom shortage? With the persistent corruption happening in smaller sectors of the government, we cannot expect for change to happen. When the budget's allocated, out of the blue moon it is taken away. Like their greed in money brings a bright future for all.
Senator Aquino proposed the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) that will help to speed up the construction process of classrooms, specifically in public schools. It may be a tiny step to take but it will create a significant change to boost the speed of constructing classrooms. Demands of it are currently high — we can no longer afford to let our future be destroyed due to this problem.
While there are funds and manpower existing, there should no longer be a reason for this issue to still exist. As we live in an era where the paradox of dissent and accountability continue to opt in; a troubling question still arises: Why, as a nation, cannot adapt such accountability when technological advancement continues to persist? Why can't we adapt these innovations to expand infrastructure? Agencies of the government should move and come as one — with better and permanent solutions —no longer with aids that are just to cover a small cut.
Perhaps, the shortage of funds isn’t truly a reason that hinders the nation’s development—but, it is the failure of handling them wisely and correctly with the absence of transparency.
M
Written by Matilde Grace Vibar, Insight PH
Matilde Grace Vibar, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
