The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday announced the rollout of the PHP105.7-billion school infrastructure public-private partnership (PPP) designed to build a total of 16,459 new classrooms in high-need areas.

The DepEd recently secured the approval for the Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project Phase III (PSIP III) from the Economy and Development Council (ED Council), chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The PSIP III is expected to solve the slow-moving constructions that were previously under the sole implementation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Hindi na puwedeng umasa lang tayo sa iisang paraan (We should not rely in just a single system). PSIP is one of our horses in this race to deliver classrooms faster to our communities,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

“Every classroom we build reduces congestion, improves safety, at nagbibigay ng sapat na espasyo para makapag-aral nang maayos ang mga bata at makapagturo nang epektibo ang mga guro (and provides ample space for learners to study properly and educators to teach effectively).”

The DepEd chief said PSIP III is part of a broader reforms towards speeding up classroom construction and improving governance in school infrastructure.

This includes the nearly 24,000 classrooms already programmed for 2026 under the national budget, as well as projects that allow local government units to directly build classrooms, as the DepEd works to cut the country’s estimated 165,000-classroom backlog.

Once fully operational, the new classrooms will directly benefit about 800,000 learners per year as the PSIP III seeks to decongest more than 1,000 public schools nationwide.

It is also projected to lower the average class size to 39 learners per class from the current 50.

Besides decongestion and elimination of classroom shifting, it is also expected to increase student contact time, reduce fatigue, and improve overall school operations and campus safety.

Angara said around 57,000 jobs can also be generated under PSIP III.

“Through PSIP III, we are opening the door to a whole-of-nation approach — working with the private sector to deliver classrooms faster, more efficiently, and boost local industry,” he said.

Beyond its impact on school communities, PSIP III is projected to generate around PHP40.15 billion in savings for the government.

It will be the largest PPP classroom construction in the country’s history, with the target completion in March 2028 or within 19 months upon contract signing.

The DepEd said it will begin the bidding in March, to be followed by the contract signing in August, and the scheduled start of construction by March 2027.

The earlier implemented PSIP I and II programs spanned over a decade, with just 13,391 classrooms delivered. (PNA)