Summary
Highlights
Students in remote 'hinterland' schools, like Denden from Iligan, endure long, difficult commutes only to arrive at classrooms without sufficient seating. Many are forced to bring their own makeshift chairs or share limited desks, highlighting systemic neglect in distant areas.
In various public schools, classrooms are severely overcrowded, forcing students to sit on the floor or use sacks. This lack of furniture causes physical pain, disrupts concentration, and discourages attendance, with some students even forced to pay for their own repairs.
Despite annual budget allocations for school furniture, DepEd faces persistent procurement delays that can take up to a year. Reports of substandard furniture and potential price discrepancies in bidding further complicate the government's ability to provide adequate supplies.
The shortage of chairs is linked to insufficient government investment in the education sector compared to international standards. Experts argue that until the budget for basic facilities like chairs and classrooms is significantly increased, the cycle of poor learning conditions will continue to hinder the country's national progress.