Teacher-student ratio improves in public schools

The average teacher-student ratio in public schools has significantly improved in recent years, the Department of Education (DepEd) said this week.

DepEd Undersecretary for planning and field operations Jesus Mateo said the teacherstudent ratio improved from one teacher per 45 students in previous years to 1:31 for elementary and senior high school and 1:36 for junior high school.

While the teacher-student ratio is higher in urban areas like Metro Manila, Mateo said data showed a different picture in rural areas where fewer students are assigned to a teacher.

The DepEd is conducting intervention programs to achieve the ideal class size and teacher-student ratio in public schools nationwide, according to Mateo.

“Aside from reducing class size, the department’s efforts to provide an environment conducive to learning include acquisition of land for school sites, construction of multistory school buildings in areas with limited land space and use of shuttle services in cooperation with local government units to transport students to schools with available classrooms,” he said.

“DepEd also conducted early registration activities to prepare for issues and concerns that learners, teachers and parents may encounter in the upcoming school year,” he added.

Responding to a proposed legislation that would keep the class size at 35 to 50 students, Mateo said the ideal number of students is different depending on the grade level.

The current DepEd parameter limits the students to a maximum of 30 per class in kindergarten, 35 in Grades 1 to 3 and 40 in Grades 5 to 12.

They will consider adding teachers when the class size exceeds the maximum number of students, Mateo said.

DepEd is also factoring in the specialization of teachers in identifying the ideal class sizes for senior high school.

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