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Imagine thousands of classrooms sitting idle while students study in crowded hallways or under tents. That’s the irony the Department of Education (DepEd) wants to solve with its new idea—leasing unused private schools and properties. This bold move could be the most practical shortcut to tackling the country’s long-standing classroom shortage.
The Classroom Shortage That Sparked Innovation
In 2022, the Philippines faced a staggering classroom deficit of over 165,000. Many schools were forced to implement shifting schedules, squeeze learners into cramped spaces, or hold classes in makeshift areas like covered courts and barangay halls.
For decades, the government’s solution was simple: build more classrooms. But that approach often hit delays—slow procurement, limited funds, and the lengthy process of construction permits. Each year that passed meant more students sharing desks meant for two, and more teachers improvising their way through the chaos.
That’s why DepEd, under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, is taking a creative detour. Instead of waiting years for new buildings, the agency wants to lease idle private schools and properties that already meet—or can quickly meet—DepEd’s classroom standards.
How DepEd’s Classroom Leasing Idea Works
The plan, developed with the Student First Coalition (SFC) and several government partners, begins with a Classroom Market Scoping Activity. Think of it as DepEd’s version of real estate scouting—identifying closed schools, vacant campuses, and unused private buildings that can be turned into classrooms.
During the activity, DepEd shared its Standard Classroom Specifications and Leasing Pilot Program to real estate giants like Colliers, Leechiu, Santos Knight Frank, and Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. Representatives from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, BCDA, and even the AFP Corps of Engineers also joined the talks.
Their goal: find spaces that could safely, quickly, and affordably house students.
One of the first properties on DepEd’s radar is the Pita Property in Laguna—a 1,385-square-meter campus formerly known as the Rainbow Institute of Learning. It’s been closed since 2020 but already has seven classrooms, a cafeteria, an office, and a covered court. Even better, it’s only two kilometers from Don Manuel Rivera Memorial Integrated National High School, which currently lacks 22 classrooms.
With just a few months of preparation, this idle campus could be buzzing with learners again.
The Benefits of Classroom Leasing
DepEd’s leasing concept offers more than just a quick fix. It’s a strategic innovation with ripple effects for education and the economy alike.
Here’s why it makes sense:
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Speed: Instead of waiting years for construction, classrooms can be ready in six months or less.
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Cost-effectiveness: Leasing costs far less than building new structures from scratch.
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Sustainability: It reduces waste by repurposing existing infrastructure.
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Community Revitalization: Reviving closed schools or idle properties boosts local economies and prevents urban decay.
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Flexibility: Leased classrooms can be relocated or adjusted as population and enrollment trends shift.
Undersecretary Ronald Mendoza summed it up perfectly: “This effort turns the classroom shortage crisis into an opportunity for collaboration and innovation.”
Addressing Concerns and Challenges
Of course, bold ideas come with questions. Critics wonder: will leasing be sustainable in the long run? What about safety, maintenance, and legal hurdles?
DepEd has been quick to clarify that this leasing program won’t replace traditional infrastructure efforts. It’s a complementary strategy—a way to fill urgent gaps while continuing to build permanent schools under projects like the Flexible School Building Implementation Plan.
Legal and safety frameworks are also being developed. DepEd ensures that all leased spaces must meet standard classroom design, ventilation, and accessibility requirements. The agency is working closely with engineers, local government units, and real estate experts to ensure compliance.
Moreover, partnerships with the private sector can open doors for corporate social responsibility initiatives, allowing developers to contribute to education reform while making productive use of dormant assets.
Why This Matters for Students and Teachers
For teachers and students, this initiative could bring tangible relief. Imagine fewer class shifts, better learning conditions, and more time for actual instruction. Students wouldn’t need to travel far or share classrooms with other grade levels.
Teachers, on the other hand, could manage their classes more effectively—with proper space for visual aids, group work, and meaningful learning experiences.
In many ways, leasing classrooms is about restoring dignity to the learning environment. It’s a reminder that solutions to big problems don’t always have to be big; sometimes, they just have to be smart and swift.
DepEd’s Classroom Leasing Program: A Smart Step Forward
DepEd’s initiative aligns with a broader global trend where governments explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address infrastructure gaps. Countries like India and Indonesia have used similar models to expand access to education facilities in fast-growing areas.
By exploring partnerships with real estate developers and local governments, DepEd is turning idle properties into opportunities—not just for learners, but for communities that benefit from reactivated spaces.
This approach also encourages data-driven decision-making. Through the market scoping activity, DepEd can map where shortages are worst, match them with nearby facilities, and roll out adaptive solutions faster than traditional bureaucracy allows.
Personal Insight
As someone who has seen firsthand how overcrowded classrooms affect both learning and teaching, I find this move refreshingly practical. It acknowledges that while we wait for grand infrastructure plans, students still need spaces now. Repurposing what already exists isn’t just efficient—it’s empathetic. It puts learners first, right where they should be.
Conclusion
DepEd’s plan to lease private schools and underused properties could reshape how we think about public education infrastructure in the Philippines. It’s a pragmatic blend of speed, resourcefulness, and collaboration—exactly what’s needed to tackle a problem that’s been decades in the making.
Do you think leasing idle schools is the key to solving our classroom shortage—or should the focus stay on long-term construction projects? Share your thoughts below!