PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged to build 40,000 new classrooms across the country by the end of his term in 2028, addressing what he described as the “pitiful” state of classroom shortages that continue to hinder quality education.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos emphasized the urgent need to resolve the classroom backlog, noting that many Filipino students still suffer from overcrowded and inadequate learning environments.

“Our students remain in a pitiful situation because of the lack of classrooms. This directly affects the quality of their education,” the President said in Filipino.

The ambitious classroom construction initiative will be implemented in partnership with the private sector, Marcos added, underscoring the importance of collaboration in uplifting the country’s education system.

Beyond infrastructure, the President also turned his attention to teachers, assuring them that their performance would not be measured solely by the number of students they pass, but by the impact they have on students’ lives.

“To our teachers, rest assured that your competence will not be measured merely by the number of students you pass, but by the number of learners you help improve and inspire to aim higher in life,” he said.

Education stakeholders welcomed the President’s commitment, calling it a vital step towards improving learning conditions and outcomes for millions of Filipino children.

Through this initiative, the administration aims not only to expand access to education but also to uphold the dignity and value of the country’s teaching force.