Leased rooms in Baliwag and Marikina now serve more than 800 public school learners
The Department of Education (DepEd) is now leasing available private school facilities to ease the classroom shortage in crowded public schools, Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced in a statement on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The leasing program targets highly congested public campuses in key cities and regions. DepEd said it lets the department skip multi-year construction delays and give learners immediate relief while new buildings are still being planned or built.
“We cannot rely solely on traditional construction timelines when our children need classrooms today,” Angara said. He described leasing as one of DepEd’s “vital channels” to speed up classroom delivery, alongside its partnerships with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units and the private sector.
“By partnering with private institutions that have ready-to-use facilities, we cut down waiting times significantly, decongest our public campuses, and ensure our learners are sitting comfortably in classrooms rather than makeshift spaces,” he added.
Two projects serve as the first models. In Baliwag City, Bulacan, Pinagbarilan Integrated School leased facilities at Gardenersfield School Inc. Since June 8, 2026, about 189 learners have been holding classes in nine leased classrooms less than 10 meters from the main campus.
In Marikina City, Kapitan Moy Elementary School opened an extension campus on October 1 after leasing seven classrooms at Covenant Children Academy, about 500 meters from the main school. The site now serves 632 Grade 5 and Grade 6 learners, easing the shifting schedule and overcrowding on the main campus.
The leasing scheme is part of DepEd’s wider infrastructure plan, which also includes DPWH-led construction, public-private partnerships and DepEd Learning Continuity Spaces.
DepEd said its regional and division offices are now evaluating more campus leases. Each site must meet safety, accessibility and proximity standards before learners are moved in.