QC to build six more school buildings for K to 12 program

MANILA, Philippines — In preparation for the influx of students because of the K to 12 program, the Quezon City government is overseeing the construction of six school buildings expected to be completed in October this year.

Segundo Escaro, chief of infrastructure services of the Division of City Schools, said the six ongoing constructions would have a total of 93 classrooms.

These buildings are located in: West Fairview High School, Ernesto Rondon High School, Fairview Elementary School, San Francisco High School, San Diego Elementary School, and Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma High School.

According to the Division of City Schools, 36,732 students from Quezon City public schools are expected to enrol for Grade 11 in 2016.

The K to 12 program adds two years of senior high school to the previous 10-year basic education system.

Another six school buildings are in the pipeline but construction was suspended due to the presence of informal settlers in Talipapa Senior High School, North Fairview High School, and Payatas C Elementary School, while President Corazon Aquino Elementary School, Payatas B Elementary School and Batasan National High School have been recently cleared, Tadeo Palma, secretary to the mayor, said.

These buildings are funded by the city government, which have allocated P478 million for the senior high school program, P330 million for school construction and P40 million for land acquisition for this school year.

Escaro said eight more school buildings would be bid out and funded by the Department of Education as part of efforts to improve the student-classroom ratio.