A SCHOOL in Laguna will hold classes in a construction site of an unfinished school building for the full implementation of the five-day per week face-to-face classes starting November 2.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers received a report that Aplaya National High School Annex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna will use under-construction science high school for classes due to severe shortage in classrooms. The students were also asked to bring their own chairs to school.

ACT’s source said that the school has a learner population of over 4,000, divided in 63 sections of 60-70 students each, but only has 21 instructional classrooms.

The school used to hold classes in three shifts per day pre-pandemic to accommodate all the students.

Transitioning to two shifts per day for the full implementation of face-to-face classes by November 2, Grade 7 classes will meet from 6 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. and Grade 8 classes from 12:30 p.m. to 6:40 p.m., both at the science high school construction site.

“For so long, our government has not given due attention to the fact that while our learner population is constantly increasing, our school facilities are dilapidating. There is a steady need for a significant number of classrooms to be built every year to ensure that our students are provided spaces conducive to learning,” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

“We are now shoved between the devil and the deep blue sea because of the government’s neglect of its duty to prepare for safe school reopening. Kailangan nang mag-aral ng mga bata sa classroom para maagapan ang learning crisis, pero paano naman sila matututo sa mga silid-aralan na hindi tapos, walang upuan, at may mga karpintero pang nagtatrabaho?” Quetua asked.