New kindergartens will be constructed throughout the country as the Department of Education (DepEd) expands its public preschool program.
In an order, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the kindergarten school building program is part of the government’s efforts to institutionalize the Early Childhood Education Program, which this year has been enhanced to include as many 5-year-old students as possible.
The expansion has been criticized by teachers’ groups as it was introduced despite the continuing shortage of school facilities and teaching staff.
Some 1.9 million 5-year-olds signed up for the universal public kindergarten program this year.
Kindergarten classes are currently being held in designated classrooms where available, and grade school classrooms have to double as preschool rooms in some schools. The situation presents problems in already crowded campuses.
According to DepEd Order No. 91, dated Nov. 11 and released on Friday, single-story kindergarten school buildings will be built in priority areas to be identified by the Bureau of Elementary Education, which oversees the implementation of the public preschool program.
Space for learning
The DepEd said target schools “should have sufficient school site for the construction of a single-story kindergarten building,” designed to be a standard 7-meter by 9-meter room.
Each classroom should be able to accommodate between 25 to 30 students, the DepEd said.
“This will allow kindergarten children to have enough space for physical and interactive learning activities,” the order said.
The DepEd will also be providing school furniture, including tables and chairs, rubber matting and ventilation needs.
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By: Tarra Quismundo
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Nov. 19, 2011
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