March 29, 2024

Committed to bring quality education even in the most geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the country, the Department of Education announced it targets to build and finish 599 classrooms for the Last Mile Schools Program this year.
“These schools with concrete walls, electricity and clean water are more than buildings. They represent hope for our learners, they are symbols that we care to bring education to the most challenged and remote places in the country,” Sec. Leonor Briones said.
According to the report presented by the Education Facilities Division (EFD) around 259 classrooms from the fiscal year 2020 budget are expected to be completed by the end of May while 340 classrooms from fiscal year 2021 are targeted to be completed by August 2022.
“Most of our projects are all under construction. These classrooms and schools will soon host learners and teachers and they will have electricity, running water, and brand-new tables and chairs,” EFD Chief Annabelle Pangan said.
Compliant to the DepEd’s Minimum Performance and Standards Specifications (MPSS) for School Buildings, completed school facilities for last mile schools should include solar panels, furniture, provision for a water system, and other site improvements like fence, gate, site leveling, and soil protection.
For fiscal year 2022, DepEd received P1.5B for the construction of 97 schools and 340 classrooms under the Last Mile Schools Program.
EFD reported that the finalization of the documents for the procurement of these projects is already ongoing.
Priority schools under the program have undergone assessment and evaluation based on the following criteria: if the school is more than four kilometers from the regional/division office, if the school is made out of makeshift materials and lacks permanent structures, if the school did not receive infrastructure projects in the last five years, and if the school does not have electricity and potable water supply. – Press release