The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that school buildings reaching 50 years of age will undergo detailed, condition-based assessments to safely extend their serviceability through targeted repairs before any decisions on replacement are made.
Addressing reports citing Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) data, which estimate that 51,222 classrooms will hit the 50-year mark by 2028, DepEd emphasized that age alone does not dictate whether a facility must be demolished.
Through its Education Facilities Division (EFD), DepEd employs a systematic, risk-informed evaluation framework to assess structures individually and guide budget allocation.
Under the DepEd framework, aging classrooms are categorized based on structural readiness.
“Hindi awtomatikong kailangang gibain ang isang silid-aralan kapag nag-50 taong gulang na ito. Tinitingnan natin ang mismong aktwal na kondisyon nito. Kung matatag pa rin ang lumang silid-aralan, binibigyan natin ito ng karagdagang taon ng paggamit,” pahayag ni Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
“Kung kailangan ng kumpuni, maliit man o malaki, agad natin itong inaayos. Ang paggiba at pagpapalit ay nakalaan lamang sa mga estrukturang talagang hindi na ligtas o hindi na praktikal kumpunihin,” Angara added.
Under the DepEd framework, aging classrooms are categorized based on structural readiness.
Classrooms in good condition continue to be used and maintained, extending their operational lifespan by an estimated 15 years.
Facilities requiring basic maintenance are repaired promptly using Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds to add 10 years of serviceability.
Structures requiring significant work undergo rehabilitation where technically feasible and safe, extending operational life by 5 years.
Facilities assessed as structurally compromised or beyond repair are scheduled for demolition and replacement.
“Ang paggiba at pagpapalit ay nakalaan lamang sa mga estrukturang talagang hindi na ligtas o hindi na praktikal kumpunihin.”
For long-term planning, DepEd projects that 18,132 classrooms per year may require replacement between 2026 and 2030, and 18,380 classrooms per year between 2031 and 2035.
Secretary Angara stressed that a sustained repair and rehabilitation budget is essential to preventing premature condemnation and maximizing government resources.
“Sa pamamagitan ng mabilisang pagkumpuni, nasusulit natin ang pondo ng bayan habang pinapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro. Sa pagpapanatili ng mga pasilidad na maaari pang gamitin nang ligtas, naiiwasan natin ang hindi kinakailangang paggiba at maipagtutuunan natin ang pagpapatayo ng mga bagong gusali kung saan ito pinakakailangan,” Angara said.
DepEd continues to pursue multi-pronged strategies, including partnerships with local government units (LGUs), private organizations, and other government agencies, to accelerate classroom construction, address historical backlogs, and ensure safe learning spaces nationwide.
