A new report reveals that thousands of public schools in the Philippines still lack electricity and proper toilets, highlighting the urgent need for investment in education infrastructure.
Around 1,500 public schools in the Philippines still lack electricity, while 1,000 are without proper toilets, according to a new report from the Education Commission (EDCOM) 2. These schools, categorized as 'last mile schools,' are situated in remote or conflict-affected areas and struggle with basic amenities. EDCOM 2 states that around a third of schools without electricity are concentrated in Cotabato, Palawan, Sulu, Zamboanga del Sur, and Negros Oriental.
The report highlights the challenges of providing electricity to these off-grid schools, noting that their location often makes traditional electrical connections impractical. Solar panels are presented as a viable alternative. While EDCOM 2 acknowledges that 98% to 99% of public schools had electricity by 2020, the focus remains on achieving universal access and modernizing infrastructure. The lack of adequate sanitary facilities is another pressing concern. Despite the DepEd's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools program launched in 2016, many schools lack sufficient toilets, leading to subpar toilet-to-student ratios. EDCOM 2 points out that water systems falling under local government jurisdiction further complicate these initiatives. Adding to the woes, the report reveals that only 30% of school buildings are in good condition. Many schools face issues with dilapidated ceilings, leaking roofs, and aged infrastructure, particularly those in rural areas. EDCOM 2 warns that without significant investment in maintenance and upgrade, more than half of concrete and all wooden school buildings will exceed their useful life by 2040. The report stresses the need for stronger, disaster-resistant school buildings, especially in high-risk areas, to ensure safety and educational continuity.A lack of sufficient funding and personnel further hinders efforts to address these challenges. EDCOM 2 criticizes the limited school maintenance and operating expenses (MOOE) allocated by the DepEd, stating that it falls short of addressing the schools' needs. The report also raises concerns about the inadequate number of engineers assigned to each schools division office, making it difficult to process repair requests and support school infrastructure
Infrastructure EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE PHILIPPINES SCHOOL BUILDINGS LAST MILE SCHOOLS ELECTRICITY TOILETS MAINTENANCE
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