CALLS MOUNT FOR GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP K-3 CLASSROOM CONSTRUCTION

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has urged the government to prioritize building classrooms for Kindergarten to Grade 3 to address severe overcrowding and the ongoing learning crisis.

Despite a P28.056 billion allocation for classrooms in the 2026 budget, there is still a backlog of 165,000 classrooms, affecting over 5 million learners, according to Senate basic education chair Sen. Bam Aquino.

Many schools resort to multi-shift schedules, with some students attending classes only a few days a week, making it difficult for young learners to develop essential literacy skills.

EDCOM 2 stressed that young children, especially those in early grades, need face-to-face instruction and proper guidance that cannot be provided through printed modules alone.

The commission called for an aggressive expansion of classrooms focused first on Kindergarten to Grade 3 to ensure all children can learn to read effectively.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 18, 2025