Teachers, classrooms lack to meet new school year

The Department of Education in Mandaue City needs more classrooms and additional teachers for school year 2012-2013.

Aside from the anticipated transfer of students from private schools to public schools due to rising tuition, the Department of Education (DepEd) city division also prepares for the full implementation of DepEd’s K to 12 this coming June.

Benjamin Tiongzon, the administrator of DepEd in Mandaue City said their division office is expecting a five percent increase in the number of students in the elementary level and a three percent increase in the number of students in the high school level this coming June.

Tiongzon said based on their data at least 280 teachers are needed for this school year in the elementary level while 218 teachers are needed in the secondary level based in the ratio of 1 teacher for every 45 students.

Currently there are 63 items available for new public school teachers this year, with 11 items going to the hiring of kindergarten teachers, 31 items for  elementary teachers and 21 items for high school.

Because of this, the division office is opting to do double-shift classes while extension classes will be facilitated by teachers  hired through the Special Education Fund.

Tiongzon also told Cebu Daily News that the Mandaue DepEd also lacks classrooms once the classes opens in June.

Though Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia promised to build 20 classrooms for Mandaue City this never materialized, said Tiongzon.

In the elementary level about 215 classrooms are needed while the deficit for secondary level stands at 218 classrooms.

Aboitiz Foundation, is currently building 26 classrooms worth P27.1 million. The construction of these classrooms are being rushed for the opening of classes in two weeks. /Norman V. Mendoza, Correspondent