Only 18,000 classrooms may need replacement beginning this year, despite aging infrastructure nationwide, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Demolition and replacement are reserved only for structures that are no longer safe or are no longer practical to repair,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said in Filipino in a news release on Thursday.

“If repairs are needed, whether minor or major, we address them immediately,” he added.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) previously warned that aging classrooms could worsen the classroom backlog.

Of the 329,716 public school buildings nationwide, the commission reported 122,518 have already exceeded their 25-year design life. By 2028, the commission projected 51,222 classrooms to reach their 50-year mark.

Amid significant classrooms at risk of condemnation, DepEd said it expects to replace only 18,132 classrooms between 2026 and 2030, potentially increasing to 18,380 between 2031 and 2035.

“A classroom does not automatically have to be demolished once it reaches 50 years of age,” Mr. Angara said. “We also have to look at its actual condition.”

“If an old classroom remains structurally sound, we give it additional years of use,” he added.

Under the new DepEd framework, the agency’s Education Facilities Division (EFD) categorizes old classrooms by structural readiness.

The new scheme allows an additional 15 years of service for classrooms that remain usable and well maintained, and an additional 10 years for those that need basic maintenance and repair.

Structures that can undergo rehabilitation can also extend their operational life by five years.

In contrast, facilities deemed structurally compromised or beyond repair will be demolished and replaced.

“Through timely repairs, we make the most of public funds while keeping our learners and teachers safe,” the Education chief said.

“By maintaining facilities that can still be used safely, we avoid unnecessary demolition and can focus on building new structures where they are needed most,” he added.

Classroom gaps nationwide currently stand at 143,543 classrooms as of June 2026. — Almira Louise S. Martinez