Escudero: Better to

prioritize classrooms over

faculty rooms
By: Daphne Galvez - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ
INQUIRER.net / 01:20 PM June 06, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday

backed the position of the Department of Education (DepEd) on the need to prioritize
classrooms over faculty rooms.

He cited the current lack of classrooms in public schools nationwide, prompting schools
to forego assigning faculty rooms for teachers.
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“Hindi kailangan ng batas para sabihing kailangang magtayo ng faculty center pero
dahil kulang na kulng na nga ang classroom, tingin mo ang DepEd dapat pa bang
pondohan ang faculty center, ang canteen, ang visitors center sa kada eskwelahan?,”
Escudero said in a Kapihan at the Senate forum when asked about his opinion on the
matter.

“Siguro naman sa prioritization, tama ang DepEd na ang dapat unahin ay classrooms
para sa mga bata, he added.
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A Facebook post of a teacher from the Bacoor National High School in Cavite made
rounds on social media after it showed photos of a comfort room-turned-faculty room.
In response, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said it was the choice of the teacher to
use the old comfort room, adding that the move was “dramatic” and “touching.”

READ: From old comfort room to new faculty room in Cavite school
In a statement, the DepEd also explained that the issue stemmed from the school’s
decision to move to single-shift classes this school year.

With 7,000 enrollees, the school needs to convert faculty rooms to classrooms to
support the new policy.

READ: DepEd assures resolution of Cavite faculty room issue

Escudero said once the classrooms are enough and there’s still additional funding for
other things, that’s the time schools can give faculty rooms to teachers, as well as
canteens and cafeterias.
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“Kung sapat at supisyente na yun (mga classroom) at may pondo pa, doon natin isunod
ang faculty center at ang canteen kung saka sakali o ang cafeteria,” the senator said.

Asked if the decision of the teachers to use an old comfort room as faculty rooms is
right, Escudero said the teachers could have also used classrooms as faculty rooms after
class or during breaks.

“Decision nila na sa CR (comfort room) pero para sa akin pwede rin naman sa clasroom
pagkatapos ng klase. Pwede rin naman sa loob ng classrom habang lunchbreak. Pwede
naman sa loob ng classroom habang recess,” he said.

“Marami namang options ang ating mga guro, siguro nangailangan lang na may
lalagyanan sila ng gamit at nagamit ay yung inabandonang dating restroom ng kanilang
paaralan,” he added. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

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classrooms-over-faculty-rooms#ixzz5q2qT9QjN
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