Governor declares classroom and reading proficiency shortfalls a ‘national emergency’

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has sounded the alarm on the education crisis in Iloilo province, declaring the classroom shortage and reading proficiency issues as equivalent to a “national emergency” during a press conference on Thursday, February 22.

“As far as I’m concerned, the classroom shortage and the reading proficiency issue in Iloilo province constitute a national emergency,” Defensor emphasized.

These issues are longstanding and persistent. Notably, last year, the Department of Education (DepEd)-Schools Division of Iloilo recognized a deficit in classrooms and teachers in anticipation of the upcoming 2023-2024 school year, set to begin on August 29.

Dr. Ernesto F. Servillon Jr., Division Superintendent of the DepEd in Iloilo, has previously stated that the shortage of teachers and classrooms is a chronic problem. He disclosed that there is a pressing need for 1,652 new classrooms across the province’s five congressional districts.

Administrative Officer V Jose Marie Bedro highlighted an additional requirement for more than 800 Senior High School teachers and about 50 Special Education Program (SPED) teachers, as indicated by data from the academic year 2022-2023.

Furthermore, a provincial government-conducted education summit last year brought to light a troubling gap in reading and numeracy skills among Ilonggo students.

Synergeia Foundation, Inc. President and CEO Milwida Guevara presented DepEd assessment data revealing that 32.69% of Grade 3 students were “not grade ready,” needing extensive refresher courses, while 22.68% required moderate refreshers.

In response, Governor Defensor detailed the provincial government’s action plan.

“We are deeply engaged in implementing our education initiative, the ‘Bulig Eskwela Sang Probinsya Program,’ or BES Probins Program, to foster a relevant, effective, and transformative education system in Iloilo,” he said.

The BES Probins Program, inaugurated through Executive Order 420 in September 2022, encompasses support for public school infrastructure, facilities, and operations; the localized implementation of the Secondary Schools Career Guidance and Counseling Act; and a voter education program.

Defensor affirmed the province’s commitment to tackling the classroom shortage. “We aim to construct approximately 400 classrooms and will exhaust our efforts to resolve this issue within our regulatory and financial capabilities. Our reading proficiency program, part of the BES Probins Program, is in the final stages of preparation, in partnership with private entities and DepEd, and is ready for rollout,” he added.

The governor also referred to ongoing efforts to recruit more teachers and develop programs to enhance students’ reading skills as key elements of Iloilo’s comprehensive education strategy.

Moreover, career guidance and voter education initiatives are underway to align the education system with societal needs.

This bold declaration from Governor Defensor highlights the urgent need to confront the educational hurdles in the province and the government’s dedicated resolve to address them.