The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 6 of the Philippines is preparing to welcome nearly one million students back to public schools despite facing a significant shortage of approximately 5,000 classrooms. Public Affairs Officer Hernani Escullar Jr. emphasized that this long-standing issue will not hinder educational access, as school administrators are converting available spaces, such as conference rooms and open-air stages, into temporary learning areas. Additionally, while there are 46,484 approved teaching positions, 1,557 of these remain vacant. Local government units are stepping in to provide additional teachers through their Special Education Fund. To manage classroom shortages, DepEd will implement multi-shift classes, allowing students to attend in morning and afternoon sessions while adhering to national class-size standards. Furthermore, local governments are working with DepEd to accelerate classroom construction, ensuring that every child has access to quality education despite these challenges.