DepEd fails to meet 18,000 new classrooms for K to 12
MANILA — A group advocating children's issues on Thursday slammed the Department of Education for not meeting its target of 18,883 additional classrooms this year in time for the full implementation of the K to 12 program.
The Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns said the DepEd has failed to meet its target which translates to growing problem of classroom shortage.
"Ilang estudyante lang ba ang kayang pumasok sa 7,051 na classroom na kanilang pinagmamayabang na naitayo? Saan ipagsiksikan ang mga mag-aaral, lalo na ang mga tutuntong ng Senior High School sa susunod na taon? Bakit ayaw pa kasing tanggapin ng DepEd na hindi pa sila handa para sa programang K to 12," the group's secretary general Kharlo Manano said.
Manano also expressed concern on the reports that teachers who would be affected by the new curriculum have yet to be issued the teaching guide and other materials.
He cited that only three schools in Marikina City are ready for the K to 12 program based on the list of the DepEd.
Marikina local executives earlier said that public and private schools in the city are prepared in the full implementation of the program next year.
"Nakakalungkot dahil mukhang mga tarpaulin at announcements lang nila ang handa sa K to 12, kabaliktaran ito kung ang pagbabatayan natin ay ang tunay na kalagayan ng mga eskuwelahan mula sa pasilidad, kagamitan hanggang sa kahandaan ng mga guro," Manano said.
On May 29, several groups opposed to the K to 12 program will stage a caravan that will go around Metro Manila, calling for the stopping of the implementation of new curriculum.