THE CLASSROOM shortage in Western Visayas threatens to undermine the very foundation of education for nearly two million students across the region. With over 14,000 additional classrooms needed to provide a conducive learning environment, the current situation is unsustainable and detrimental to the future of our children. The consequences would be far-reaching, and the longer we wait to address it, the greater the toll on both individual learners and society as a whole.
Classrooms are environments where young minds are nurtured, where curiosity is cultivated, and where future leaders are shaped. Unfortunately, the reality in Western Visayas paints a different picture. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), only 8,220 of the 62,263 instructional classrooms in the region are in good condition. The rest either require major repairs, minor repairs, or, worse, are unfit for use, marked for condemnation or demolition.
For students, this translates into overcrowded and unsafe learning conditions, where class sizes swell beyond capacity, and teachers struggle to manage the increased workload. The detrimental effects on student performance are well-documented. Overcrowded classrooms reduce the amount of individual attention each student receives, limit the effectiveness of teaching, and create an environment that stifles participation and engagement. It is no wonder that students in such settings are more likely to experience lower academic achievement and disengagement from their studies.
Moreover, poorly maintained classrooms — those with broken windows, dilapidated chairs, inadequate ventilation, and leaking roofs — are a matter of safety and health. How can we expect students to focus on learning when their environment is distracting at best and hazardous at worst? These conditions also take a toll on teachers, whose ability to provide quality education is hampered by inadequate facilities. This creates a vicious cycle of declining performance, frustration, and burnout for both educators and students alike.
The long-term socioeconomic impact of classroom shortages cannot be overstated. Education is the cornerstone of development, and when it suffers, so does the region’s future workforce. Graduating students who have not been adequately prepared due to poor learning conditions will face difficulties in entering the job market and contributing meaningfully to society. This leads to a cycle of poverty, limited opportunities, and stunted regional growth. If Western Visayas is to continue progressing, it must invest in its most valuable resource: its people.
Addressing the classroom shortage must be a top priority. While DepEd Region 6 has already flagged the issue and is advocating for budgetary support, this is not enough. Local government units (LGUs), the private sector, and national leaders must come together to ensure that education infrastructure receives the attention and funding it deserves. Building and repairing classrooms is not just an investment in education; it is an investment in the future of Western Visayas.
We cannot afford to wait any longer. Every year that passes with overcrowded, poorly maintained classrooms is a year of lost potential for the students of Region 6. If we truly care about the future of our children, then the time to act is now. Western Visayas must not be left behind in the race for educational progress. The cost of inaction is simply too high.
