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Climate-ready schs among FMJ priorities, needs Congress to align
By Nidz Godino
"Aside from new construction of classrooms, schools and facilities are being retrofitted to be ready for future–ready for hybrid and high-tech learning and also climate-ready and disaster-proof," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to retrofit schools and facilities that can withstand strong typhoons entering the country and other climate phenomena as part of his broader agenda to build more infrastructure.
Climate ready and disaster-proof school refers to "safe, resilient, learning-conducive, inclusive and green school infrastructure" protects students and education personnel from disasters and climate risks, according to Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 19 s. 2023.
In DepEd 's Basic Education Report, total of 17,263 classrooms in Visayas were damaged by super typhoon Odette in 2021, while 2,100 classrooms were devastated by Magnitude 7 Luzon earthquake in 2022.
Deped Order No. 6, s. 2021, listed minimum performance and standard specifications for school buildings to utilize alternative construction materials.
These are design requirements for climate-resilient school building, classroom size of 7.0 m x 9.0 m that can fit 40-50 learners , 5.0 m width stairwell for safer and easier movement during emergencies, awning window with height of 1.80 m from window sill to floor.. This type of window provides full perimeter pressure seal, reduces external noise and provides better insulation.Panel doors with 1/4 thick clear glass panels for visibility.Security grilles in front and at rear inside classroom to safeguard school property. Roof slab with metal decking since this is safer and more practical during typhoons.6 inches thick railings to protect learners from accidental falls Storm shutters to block strong winds and flying debris caused by typhoons Roofed waiting area to provide sun and rain protection Dry standpipes for multi-story buildings to easily suppress fire in any floor.Overhead water tank to ensure enough water supply Adjustment of electrical plans to prevent overloading of electricity
Should FMJ push for climate-ready schools, he will need to secure Congress' interest in adopting his plans aimed at retrofitting schools to make them climate-ready.
In 2022, DepEd reported 165,000 shortage of new classrooms nationwide.
With approved P15.1 billion budget released by Department of Budget and Management on May 15 to DepEd, nearly 5,000 classrooms can be built in over 1,000 sites nationwide in 2023. This is about 1,000 classrooms shy from what Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio hoped for this year.
Portion of funds will also be used to repair and rehabilitate damaged classrooms by climate risks and disasters, Carpio said in her speech about Basic Education Report 2023 in January.
She added that only one out of three school buildings is in good condition. As result, over 200,000 school buildings have been affected by natural calamities that require repairs or an entire reconstruction.
Included in construction are kindergarten, elementary and secondary school buildings, technical vocational laboratories, disability access facilities and water and sanitation facilities.
FMJ not only wants climate-ready schools, but he also seeks to permanently adopt blended learning for "unhampered learning."
"Taking to heart lessons of pandemic, alternative delivery modes and blended learning methodologies have been adopted to ensure unhampered learning," he stressed.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said this alternative delivery mode will help "decongest our schools" during Malacañang press briefing.
Poa also advised school heads during days of unbearable heat in classrooms to maximize blended learning when environment is not conducive for learning.
Makabayan lawmakers further stressed need to return to old school calendar of June to March to mitigate impact of weather conditions, filing House Bill 8550 on June 19.
FMJ acknowledged this issue and said decision to do so is not an easy one. He also says, however, whether country reverts to old calendar will be decided soon.
For schools to become climate-resilient, FMJ will have to convince legislative branch of its importance as Filipino children are most vulnerable to climate-related hazards.
UNICEF reported in its latest East Asia and Pacific report at least 96 percent of Filipino children experience multiple, overlapping climate-related hazards like floods, water scarcity, heatwaves, air pollution, tropical cyclones and vector-borne diseases.
Should Congress align its plans in constructing climate-resilient classrooms by providing appropriate budget and measures, lesser Filipino learners will have to suffer from effects of natural hazards.
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