Class-size Effects on Students' Learning: Department of Education (DepEd) Perspective

Date: March 19, 2018 Source: Ma. Teresa Montemayor

Key Points

Importance of Class Size Reduction

• DepEd highlights class size reduction as essential for improving students' learning environments, particularly in urban areas.
• Jesus Mateo, Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations, notes significant changes in classroom-pupil and teacher-student ratios in cities, potentially linked to overpopulation.

Current Teacher-Student Ratios

• Previous ratios were around 1:45.
• For School Year 2017-2018:
  • Elementary level: 1:31
  • Junior High School level: 1:36
  • Senior High School level: 1:31

Legislative Efforts

• House Bill 473 proposes a standard class size:
  • One teacher per 35 learners with a maximum of 50 students.
  • Different parameters for different education levels, e.g., 1:25 to 30 for Kinder; decision points set for adding teachers when limits exceed.

Additional Measures by DepEd

• Acquisition of land for new school sites.
• Construction of multi-story school buildings in space-limited areas.
• Collaboration with local government units for student transportation via shuttle services.
• Request for additional non-teaching staff positions to allow teachers to focus more on teaching and lesson planning.

Conclusion

DepEd is committed to achieving optimal class sizes and teacher-student ratios through various interventions and legislative support to enhance the educational environment in public schools across the Philippines.