Manila Bulletin – DepEd fast-tracks prefab classrooms to ease overcrowding, classroom shortage

The Department of Education (DepEd) is accelerating the rollout of prefabricated classrooms to address the country’s ongoing classroom shortage and ease congestion in schools.

Fast-Build Solution to Overcrowded Classrooms

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara inspected newly installed modular classrooms at Mariveles National High School–Alasasin Annex in Bataan on Thursday, March 19. The classrooms were completed in less than two weeks, demonstrating the agency’s shift toward rapid construction strategies.

The modular units were made possible through a donation from First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and the Next Gen Foundation. DepEd stated that prefabricated structures significantly shorten construction timelines compared with conventional school buildings.

Angara explained that the prefabricated classrooms provide immediate relief to overcrowded schools while the government continues long-term infrastructure projects. “Ang mahalaga, mas mabilis nating nabibigyan ng maayos na silid-aralan ang ating mga mag-aaral (What’s important is that we can provide proper classrooms to our students more quickly),” Angara said. “Habang tinutugunan natin ang long-term classroom needs, may agarang solusyon para hindi na kailangang magsiksikan ang mga bata (While we are addressing long-term classroom needs, there is an immediate solution so that children no longer have to be cramped together),” he added.

Many public schools across the Philippines continue to grapple with high enrollment and limited infrastructure. At the Alasasin Annex, the school currently serves 1,031 learners and is projected to face a shortage of at least five classrooms due to the expected influx of Grade 12 students next school year.

DepEd aims to immediately expand available learning spaces, reduce class sizes, and improve overall learning conditions by installing prefabricated units. Teachers and students are expected to benefit from more organized class schedules and less congested classrooms, contributing to better learning outcomes.

Rapid Deployment Highlights Efficiency

DepEd highlighted the speed and efficiency of prefab construction as a major advantage. The site for the modular classrooms was identified and inspected on March 5, followed by joint validation with DepEd Central Office engineers on March 6. Site clearing began on March 9, and classroom furniture was delivered by March 11—even before construction was completed.

The classrooms were ready for use in less than two weeks, demonstrating how prefabricated classrooms can be rapidly deployed to areas facing urgent classroom shortages.

Bridging Immediate Gaps While Building Long-Term Solutions

While modular classrooms provide a quick fix, DepEd emphasized that they are part of a broader strategy to address infrastructure gaps in the education sector. The Alasasin Annex is included in DepEd’s 2026–2030 school building master plan, which proposes the construction of a four-storey building with 12 classrooms to meet long-term demand.

By combining fast-build solutions with sustained infrastructure investments, DepEd aims to close the classroom gap while ensuring that future school facilities are more resilient and better equipped.

Alongside the rollout of prefab classrooms, DepEd continues to support learner welfare through programs such as the YAKAP at Kalinga Caravan, which delivers essential health services in schools. DepEd stressed that improving both physical learning spaces and student well-being is critical to strengthening education outcomes nationwide.