QUEZON CITY, Philippines - There's a shortage of classrooms at Payatas B Elementary School in Quezon City.
According to teacher Maricel de Guzman, the school is situated in an overpopulated urban poor area and they can't down students who want to enroll.
Because of overpopulation, 80 students have to fit in one classroom.
Teacher Sheryl Escobar conducts classes at the school hallway.
She is having a hard time teaching because the hallways are noisy and keeping the class in order is next to impossible.
Payatas B was one of the problem schools visited by Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.
According to the faculty and staff, Luistro promised a 4-storey building to be built at a vacant lot beside the existing school in time for the next school year.
This, they say, would be a big help to teachers and students. They're hoping that Luistro will follow through with his commitment.
For Cerilo Castillo, assistant principal of Batasan Hills High School, Luistro's visit gave them hope that their classroom shortage will finally have a solution.
The school has 12,400 students and only 80 classrooms, resulting in 90 to 100 students in each room.
The DepED is currently building a 3-storey building beside the school. Luistro said they're adding another floor to the building to accommodate more students.
