SAN JOSE, Antique – Classroom shortage has prompted some schools in Antique to implement a shifting of classes to accommodate all students. Some schools even put up makeshift classrooms.
DepEd-Antique’s Curriculum and Implementation Division supervisor Dr. Gaudencio Riego said these schools include the Antique National School, which has 27 sections per year level.
“There is a morning class that starts at 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an afternoon class from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.,” Riego explained.
He added that other schools made use of their libraries and gymnasium as classrooms.
Riego attributed the classroom shortage to the increased number of students, particularly in senior high school.
From last year’s 6,265 senior high students, the number grew to 7,006 this year, a 11.6 percent increase.
Riego added that some school building constructions in the province were still ongoing.
Antique has 5,035 public schools – composed of 4,981 elementary schools and 54 secondary schools.
The DepEd has been monitoring of the opening of classes since Monday. It reported that 90 percent of students in both elementary and high schools attended the first flag-raising ceremony of the school year.
Meanwhile, Riego on Tuesday said there are 330 new teacher items that are being filled up in Antique.
Of the number, 138 are for the elementary level and 912, for the high school level.
“The filling up of teachers’ items will be until June 31,” Riego said.
He added that they have completed ranking the applicants. They are now processing the appointment papers.
“Some teachers are already teaching because they already have the designation order by our superintendent,”Riego said.
In Antique, the teacher to student ratio is 1:36 for elementary and 1:31 for high school. (With a report from PNA/PN)
