DepEd-7 taps Learning Continuity Spaces to ease classroom shortage

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 7 is tapping the Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) to help prevent learning disruptions caused by natural disasters and classroom shortage.

The initiative comes as public schools across Central Visayas continue to face a shortage of about 10,000 classrooms. DepEd-7 earlier reported that Cebu lacks 8,287 classrooms, while Bohol, including Tagbilaran City, needs 1,713 more classrooms.

To help address the shortage while waiting for permanent school buildings to be completed, the agency is expanding the use of Learning Continuity Spaces.

READ: Public schools in Central Visayas lack 10K classrooms — DepEd 7

During the Kapihan sa PIA on Tuesday, July 7, at the DepEd Ecotech Center, DepEd Region 7 Regional Director Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III, clarified the difference between Learning Continuity Spaces and permanent classrooms, emphasizing that the temporary structures provide safe and conducive learning environments while schools wait for permanent buildings to be completed.

Bayocot explained that regular classrooms are permanent concrete structures that require a larger budget and longer construction period.

“Ang regular classrooms nato, naa man gyud na’y dimension of 7 by 9 meters, it’s concrete, tapos there’s a budget of 3 million or over depending on the site. Apil pud ang ground improvement, mga ana,” Bayocot said.

(Our regular classrooms have a standard dimension of 7 by 9 meters. They are made of concrete and cost around P3 million or more, depending on the site. That already includes ground improvement and similar site preparations.)

In contrast, Bayocot said Learning Continuity Spaces—previously referred to as temporary learning shelters—are designed to be constructed quickly while still providing quality classrooms for learners.

“Ang temporary learning spaces nato, we call it now LCS, Learning Continuity Spaces. Mao ra gihapon na sa ato-a sa temporary learning shelters. But what is good now kay ang atong LCS naa na’y budget of about 2 million. Because it is not really the looks of the regular, but it is a good classroom while waiting for the regular,” he said

(Our temporary learning spaces are now called Learning Continuity Spaces or LCS. They are essentially the same as our former Temporary Learning Shelters. What’s good now is that each LCS has a budget of about P2 million. While it may not look exactly like a regular classroom, it still provides a good learning environment while waiting for the permanent classrooms.)

READ: Temporary learning spaces set for students in disaster-hit Cebu schools

Although intended as temporary facilities, Bayocot said the structures can remain functional for years when properly maintained.

“As a matter of fact, the lifespan of the LCS will go to even 10 years, kung maayos lang ang pagkakagamit, di lang pud ta malason sa unsa na, sa calamities, ug sa disasters,” he said

(As a matter of fact, the lifespan of an LCS can last up to 10 years, as long as it is properly used and we’re not unlucky enough to experience calamities and disasters.)

He explained that the primary difference between the two facilities lies in their intended use. While permanent classrooms are built for long-term service, Learning Continuity Spaces are meant to immediately accommodate students until regular classrooms are available.

Bayocot added that DepEd also continues to utilize earlier Temporary Learning Shelter (TLS) models, which have been upgraded to align with the standards of the newer Learning Continuity Spaces. Both facilities continue to supplement the region’s classroom needs while waiting for permanent school buildings.

“Tapos naa pud ta’y katong Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS) nato karon nga gigamit ang old design, old budget, ug old specs, pero gi-elevate na siya—meaning, calibrated na siya sa LCS. So naa ta’y TLS nga gitukod gamit ang old design, nga mas barato kaysa sa new LCS design. And these two are continuously augmenting sa kakulangan sa classrooms,” he said.

(We also still have our Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS) that use the old design, budget, and specifications, but they have already been upgraded or calibrated to the LCS standards. We continue to build TLS using the old design because it is less expensive than the new LCS design. Both of these continue to help address the shortage of classrooms. )

He said the temporary facilities also help address classroom shortages because they can be completed much faster than conventional school buildings.

READ: Angara ramps up support for learning continuity spaces rollout

Bayocot added that the temporary facilities also help address the region’s classroom shortage because they can be completed much faster than conventional school buildings.

According to Bayocot, the new Learning Continuity Spaces are built using prefabricated materials and are designed to withstand disasters while also serving schools experiencing inadequate classroom capacity.

“ Dili lang siya pang-disaster, tungod sa kakulangan. Of course, disaster is number one,”  he said.

(They’re not only for disaster situations but also for addressing classroom shortages. Of course, responding to disasters remains the top priority.)

He also acknowledged the support of partners and stakeholders, including the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and other civic organizations, in constructing the facilities.

Bayocot recalled that makeshift classrooms built by parents and communities were once common before government-funded school buildings became widely available.

“Sa una man gud, di ba kamo sa una kung wala pa gyu’y eskwelahan, wa pa’y school building, ang PTA man gani ang magtukod. And we call it TLS na man to’g tawag ana or makeshifts—mga atap, kogon, kawayan,”  he said.

(In the past, when there were still no school buildings, Parent-Teacher Associations would build the classrooms themselves. We would call them temporary learning shelters or makeshift classrooms made of nipa, cogon, and bamboo.)

Despite their simple structures, he said learning continued and many successful individuals came from such classrooms.

“It did not underestimate the learning, kay marami naman mga produkto sa mga tulad ng anyang paagi who are doing well now in their life’s chosen careers. Because it’s not really just about the building. But of course, ang gobyerno, ay talagang nagpupunyagi upang mabigay ang mga buildings na ganito, which are supposed to be conducive for learning,” he said.

READ: DepEd fast-tracks rollout of 10,488 classrooms worth P36B

(That did not diminish the quality of learning because many people who studied under those conditions have gone on to succeed in their chosen careers. It’s not really just about the building. But of course, the government continues to strive to provide school buildings that are truly conducive to learning.)

Bayocot said DepEd Region 7 will continue expanding Learning Continuity Spaces as part of the agency’s efforts to ensure that students have access to safe and conducive learning environments while minimizing disruptions caused by disasters and infrastructure gaps.

With around 10,000 classrooms still needed across Central Visayas, DepEd-7 hopes the continued rollout of Learning Continuity Spaces, alongside the construction of permanent school buildings, will help address the region’s growing demand for learning spaces while ensuring uninterrupted education for learners.

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