157 Classrooms needed, 182 condemned: Tabuk schools face space crunch ahead of opening of classes

RIZAL, Kalinga — The Schools Division Office (SDO) of Tabuk City has reported a shortage of 157 classrooms as schools prepare for the opening of classes, highlighting ongoing challenges in providing adequate learning spaces for students.

The said report was delivered during the Kapihan of DepEd-CAR and the Launching of Regional Brigada Eskwela 2026 in Rizal, Kalinga on June 2, 2026.

According to the report, of the total deficit, 127 classrooms are needed for Kindergarten to Grade 6, while 30 additional classrooms are required for Grades 7 to 12.

Aside from the shortage, education officials reported that 182 classrooms across the division remain condemned, while 26 classrooms continue to be used as makeshift learning spaces. These conditions continue to affect classroom availability and school operations in the city.

To help address the problem, SDO Tabuk City has intensified its Brigada Eskwela activities with the support of the local government unit, parents, stakeholders, and non-government organizations. The initiative focuses on classroom repair, cleaning, and rehabilitation, with efforts aimed at restoring some condemned classrooms for learning use.

Education officials said some schools may implement shifting schedules if necessary, although only in affected grade levels and not throughout entire schools. In areas facing severe space constraints, non-instructional facilities such as libraries, laboratories, and faculty rooms may also be temporarily converted into classrooms.

The classroom shortage in Tabuk City reflects a broader challenge faced by the country's education sector. In recent years, the Department of Education has cited classroom deficits nationwide, prompting schools to adopt temporary measures such as shifting schedules while long-term classroom construction and rehabilitation projects continue.

*This article is written by an intern from Kalinga State University, taking BS in Developmental Communications.