The Commission on Audit (COA) has reported that the Department of Education (DepEd) only completed 192 classrooms in 2023, a far cry from its target of 6,379. Following this, the newly appointed DepEd Secretary, Sonny Angara, promised to improve the department’s operations and introduce a system overhaul to address inefficiencies.
DepEd’s 2023 Classroom Shortfall
In its 2023 annual audit, COA found that DepEd constructed only 192 classrooms, which is just 3.01% of its target. Additionally, 4,391 classrooms remain under construction, and 550 are still awaiting procurement approval.
COA highlighted other issues, such as the delayed delivery of school furniture. DepEd aimed to provide 580,394 school seats by mid-2023, but the delivery was postponed to December. As a result, DepEd did not achieve its 2023 target for delivering seats.
Classroom Repairs Fall Behind Schedule
COA also reported that DepEd missed its goal to repair 7,550 classrooms. By the end of 2023, only 208 had been fixed, while 2,135 classrooms remain under construction, and 5,207 are still in the procurement stage.
The Basic Education Facilities program, which covers these classroom repairs and school furniture projects, is valued at P816 million. Despite the high allocation of funds, COA warned that the money spent does not reflect the effectiveness of project implementation.
COA Recommends Improvements in DepEd’s Project Implementation
The COA report advised DepEd to resolve project delays and address procurement issues to improve results. COA expressed concern that DepEd’s high commitment to funds was not producing timely and effective outcomes. Many contracts had been awarded, but projects had yet to start.
COA emphasized the importance of addressing these inefficiencies to ensure completed projects deliver the intended benefits on time.
Reasons Behind DepEd’s Delays
DepEd explained that delays in delivering school furniture stemmed from changes to technical specifications that required approval. Additionally, the responsibility for school repairs was transferred to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the 2023 national budget law. This transfer led to further delays, as DPWH had to revalidate and plan the projects from scratch.
Sonny Angara’s Commitment to Change
Former Vice President Sara Duterte was DepEd Secretary until July 20, 2023, when she stepped down. Former Senator Sonny Angara, who assumed the role, acknowledged the department’s shortcomings and promised to make improvements.
During a hearing at the House of Representatives, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Adrian Amatong raised concerns about the classroom shortage and other DepEd issues, stating, “We talk about improving the learning environment, about computers and textbooks, but if there are no classrooms, what kind of environment are we providing?”
In response, Sec. Angara promised to reform the system, saying, “We are committed to making extraordinary efforts to address these concerns. We see the low obligation rates and undelivered resources, and we know this cannot continue. We will change the system.”
DepEd’s 2025 Budget Proposal and Future Plans
With the 2023 shortcomings in mind, DepEd is proposing a P798 billion budget for 2025, aiming to address the backlog in classroom construction, repairs, and the procurement of school equipment.
Angara has vowed to focus on improving project implementation processes, including the delivery of new school furniture and the repair of thousands of classrooms. He also emphasized the need for better coordination between DepEd and DPWH to prevent delays.
By making these changes, Angara hopes to create a more efficient education system, ensuring students have access to a conducive learning environment with adequate classrooms and resources.
