September 04, 2024 - The Department of Education (DepEd) under Vice President Sara Duterte has faced criticism following the release of the Commission on Audit (COA) 2023 annual report. The report revealed that the department constructed only 192 out of its targeted 6,379 new classrooms, representing a mere 3% completion rate.
DepEd attributed the shortfall to "realignments because of modifications in the projects' design." However, the COA flagged several other issues, including delays in school furniture procurement, slow progress in building Last Miles Schools, and a significant number of unrepaired classrooms.
The nationwide classroom shortage remains a pressing concern, with DepEd estimating a deficit of approximately 159,000 classrooms. Procurement lapses and challenges in finding suitable school sites have been cited as major obstacles to construction efforts.
While DepEd has made progress in previous years, the 2023 completion rate falls far short of expectations. The report raises questions about the department's ability to address the country's growing educational needs and improve access to quality education for all.