ARMM starts repair and rehabilitation of 612 classrooms in public schools

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hatama

Cotabato City (April 11, 2018) – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has started repairing and rehabilitating a total of 612 classrooms both in public elementary and secondary schools across the region before classes begin in June.

ARMM's Education Department (DepEd-ARMM) Assistant Secretary Alfhadar Pajiji noted that P130 million will be used to repair and rehabilitate school buildings.

“The projects are intended for major repairs while minor repairs including painting and cleaning of classrooms will be done during the Brigada Eskwela, which will start in May," Pajiji said. Of the amount meant for these activities, the highest allocation is for the repair and rehabilitation of school buildings in Lanao del Sur.

Official DepEd-ARMM data listed the number of classrooms that need rehabilitation and repair as follows:

· Maguindanao - 158;

· Marawi City - 31;

· Lanao del Sur - 214;

· Lamitan City - 41;

· Basilan - 32;

· Sulu - 106; and

· Tawi-Tawi - 30.

Pajiji said the DepEd-ARMM and the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways have signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the projects. He added that the district engineers in each province will supervise the projects.

To date, there are 2,155 elementary schools and 304 secondary schools in the region. The ARMM is composed of nine schools divisions, namely Maguindanao I and II, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., DepEd-ARMM Secretary, assured that the students can use the newly rehabilitated classrooms in June noting that the department will provide a safe and healthy environment for learners and teachers.

"The regional government is continuing its effort to address the lack of classrooms in the region," Sec. Mitmug said.

Meanwhile, on April 9, volunteers across the region started the second batch of Brigada Eskwela in Marawi City. This will end on April 14. The department conducted the first batch of Brigada Eskwela in the city in December last year, which brought together volunteers from various DepEd offices across the country.

Atty. Mitmug stressed that schools outside ‘ground zero’ in Marawi City can be used by the students before public schools begin classes.

Brigada Eskwela or the annual drive that brings together education stakeholders to prepare public schools across the country for the upcoming school year that will officially start on May 14. (Bureau of Public Information)