THE DEPARTMENT of Education is eyeing the leasing of closed private schools and other underutilized private properties for classroom use.

In partnership with the Student First Coalition (SFC), DepEd recently conducted a Classroom Market Scoping Activity to explore leasing opportunities.

The activity brought together major real estate developers, government agencies, and property management groups to assess private sector capacity, understand market conditions, and explore partnership models that could make classroom leasing a scalable and cost-efficient strategy nationwide.

“We need to think creatively if we want to move fast,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

“Kung may mga paaralan at gusaling nakatengga at maaari namang magamit, buksan natin ito para sa mga kabataang nangangailangan ngayon,” he added.

The market scoping featured the presentation of DepEd’s Standard Classroom Specifications, current classroom needs, and the details of its Leasing Pilot Program, followed by an open forum with private sector representatives.

Leading real estate firms such as Colliers, Santos Knight Frank, Leechiu, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., Lobien Realty Group, and REBAP Inc. participated in the forum.

Other government agencies were also present, including the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers.