DepEd says 24,000-classroom target on track

The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed confidence it can meet its target of completing 24,000 classrooms before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leaves office in 2028, citing sustained funding and ongoing infrastructure projects.

“DepEd remains confident that the target is achievable, provided that current funding levels are sustained and procurement timelines are maintained,” the department said ahead of the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday.

As of June 2026, the Department of Public Works and Highways had completed 21,900 classrooms since Marcos assumed office in 2022.

Another 6,294 classrooms worth P21.4 billion are under construction or in procurement this year, while local government units are building 6,617 classrooms valued at P21.2 billion.

DepEd said 3,364 classrooms have been completed since the President’s 2025 SoNA, reducing the nationwide classroom backlog to 143,543 from 165,443 at the start of the administration.

The department also highlighted measures to improve teacher welfare.

A total of 969,520 teaching and non-teaching personnel received the P7,000 annual medical allowance in fiscal year 2025, while eligible teachers continue to receive a P25,000 relocation allowance when transferred due to the exigencies of the service.

To address teacher shortages, the government created 32,916 new teaching positions for fiscal year 2026. DepEd has also hired 10,000 School Counselor Associates, 11,268 Administrative Officers II, 5,000 Project Development Officers and 6,000 principals to reduce teachers’ administrative workload.