MANDAUE CITY — Schools across Central Visayas are turning to double-shift schedules as a shortage of more than 10,000 classrooms continues to affect students at the start of School Year 2026–2027.
The Department of Education 7 reported on June 8 that Cebu needs 8,287 additional classrooms while Bohol faces a shortage of 1,713. The shortage was worsened by disasters in 2025, including a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in northern Cebu and Typhoon Tino, which left several school buildings unsafe for use.
DepEd 7 had planned to address the shortage through new classroom construction and repairs. However, six months into 2026, no new DepEd-funded classroom project in Central Visayas had broken ground as the regional office continued to wait for the Central Office’s priority project listings. Temporary Learning Spaces and planned temporary shelters are being used while permanent facilities remain delayed due to ___________
The shortage has forced schools to maximize existing spaces through morning and afternoon shifts, while some affected students rely on blended learning. In Lapu-Lapu City, a classroom fire at Sudtonggan Elementary School on the first day of classes further highlighted the pressure on school facilities. The fire damaged part of the ceiling and left seven adjacent rooms unusable, although no students or staff were injured.
With classroom construction and repairs still pending; DepEd 7 continues to rely on temporary facilities and alternative learning methods to keep students in school while permanent classrooms remain unavailable.
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