With the goal being to safely extend their service life through repairs before deciding whether they need to be demolished.
Following data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which estimates that 51,222 classrooms will reach the 50-year mark by 2028, the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that age is not the sole criterion for demolishing a facility.
According to the department, school buildings aged 50 years or older will undergo a thorough assessment based on current conditions by its Education Facilities Division (EFD).
Through which, DepEd employs a systematic and risk-informed evaluation framework to assess each structure and guide budget allocation.
“Hindi awtomatikong kailangang gibain ang isang silid-aralan kapag nag-50 taong gulang na ito,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara said. “Tinitingnan natin ang mismong aktwal na kondisyon nito. Kung matatag pa rin ang lumang silid-aralan, binibigyan natin ito ng karagdagang taon ng paggamit.”
He furthered, “Kung kailangan ng kumpuni, maliit man o malaki, agad natin itong inaayos. Ang paggiba at pagpapalit ay nakalaan lamang sa mga estrukturang talagang hindi na ligtas o hindi na praktikal kumpunihin.”
Under the DepEd framework, existing classrooms will be classified based on their structural integrity.
Classrooms in good condition will continue to be used and maintained to extend the building’s lifespan by up to 15 years. Meanwhile, those requiring minor maintenance will be repaired immediately using Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds, adding 10 years of service life.
For classrooms requiring major repairs will undergo rehabilitation—provided it is technically feasible and safe—adding five years to the facility’s lifespan.
Although, buildings that are dilapidated or structurally unsafe are slated for demolition and complete replacement.
For long-term planning, DepEd estimates that approximately 18,132 classrooms per year may require replacement between 2026 and 2030, and 18,380 classrooms per year from 2031 to 2035.
Angara emphasized the importance of a consistent budget for repairs and rehabilitation to prevent premature demolition and ensure the efficient use of government funds.
“Sa pamamagitan ng mabilisang pagkumpuni, nasusulit natin ang pondo ng bayan habang pinapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro,” he said.
“Sa pagpapanatili ng mga pasilidad na maaari pang gamitin nang ligtas, naiiwasan natin ang hindi kinakailangang paggiba at mapagtutuunan natin ang pagpapatayo ng mga bagong gusali kung saan ito pinakakailangan.”
Aside from this, the DepEd also continues to advance various strategies such as partnerships with local government units (LGUs), private organizations, and other government agencies, in order to accelerate classroom construction and address facility shortages nationwide.
