THE DEPARTMENT of Education will soon build medium-and high-rise school buildings that feature safe spaces for learners.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones expressed her delight that disaster-resilient buildings are being considered for students who will continue their lessons in the new normal.

“As we are winding up our term, we formally recognize that we do need medium-rise school buildings, we need to save on space. We will not give up blended learning. Blended learning will take place in these kinds of buildings, in these kinds of school spaces,” Briones said.

She added that students must become familiar to an education system that is mainly online and “technology-based.”

DepEd displayed five-to 12-story buildings that were built to be disaster-resistant.

The buildings have concession spaces, clinics and covered roof decks, among other amenities.

They were designed to use renewable energy, natural lighting and ventilation.

The buildings were also built to withstand typhoons and earthquakes.

Each of the classrooms can accommodate 25 to 60 students.