What it is
DepEd Memorandum No. 038, s. 2026 outlines the Department of Education's approach to fairly allocating classrooms based on data. Secretary Sonny Angara has reaffirmed the DepEd's commitment to basing infrastructure allocation on the actual needs of schools, focusing resources where shortages are most severe.
Key points
- The DepEd incorporates a data-driven standard into its construction strategy.
- DepEd considers reports from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) regarding allocation gaps in Local Government Units (LGUs).
- The assessment of classroom needs and validated school location priorities serve as the basis for projects under DepEd Memorandum No. 038, s. 2026, including those with qualified LGUs.
- DepEd is implementing a wide strategy involving DPWH-led construction, LGU partnerships, Public-Private Partnerships, DepEd Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), and collaborations with government and private sectors.
Who is affected
- The current initiative involving LGUs covers 439 provincial LGUs, 1,955 schools, and 8,777 classrooms nationwide.
- This includes 81 provincial LGUs with 4,043 classrooms in 1,022 schools, 127 city LGUs with 3,123 classrooms in 468 schools, and 231 municipal LGUs with 1,611 classrooms in 465 schools.
- Additionally, a partnership between DepEd and PAGCOR with 48 LGUs is reportedly planning to build 576 classrooms in priority communities.
What teachers should do
- DepEd maintains oversight through regular reporting on physical and financial progress, technical verification, and monitoring protocols at the division, regional, and central office levels.
- The DepEd emphasizes that decisions are continuously weighed against the severity of shortages, site readiness, project feasibility, and implementation timelines.
Source
Official source: deped.gov.ph