Bacolod to get B for more classrooms

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya said the Department of Education (DepEd) has allotted R1.1 billion for the construction of classrooms in public elementary and high schools here.

Gasataya said the DepEd informed him that the budget for Bacolod has been approved as part of the implementation of the K to 12 program.

The budget is good for 312 classrooms, including more than 20 classrooms in Negros Occidental High School. Workshop areas will also be built in elementary schools.

Almost all schools will have new classrooms starting this year, Gasataya said.

Earlier this month, about 500 teachers, principals, and other education stakeholders met in Bacolod for the three-day 1st Negros Island Region K to 12 Conference.

DepEd-NIR Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad said that with the start of Senior High School, particularly Grade 11, in school year 2016-2017, the DepEdNIR was able to address some of the problems, he said.

Records show that in Negros Island, about 47,000 students are enrolled in Grade 11, higher than the expected 40,000.

Sadsad said the challenges faced by the DepEd-NIR included the absence of tools and equipment for technicalvocational livelihood track.

Lack of classrooms for Senior High School and teachers to handle the subject areas was also among the concerns.

Sadsad said these problems are experienced nationwide, but in the case of DepEd-NIR, they have identified solutions to anticipated problems next school year.

The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School. (PNA)