Iloilo city: The city government has announced the revival of its initiative to provide free school supplies to students enrolled in public schools, aiming to support parents amid the ongoing energy emergency. Mayor Raisa Tre±as highlighted that parents are among those significantly impacted by the crisis, prompting the decision to reinstate the program for students from Kindergarten to High School.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative was discussed during a meeting with the Iloilo City School Board on Tuesday, resulting in the approval of a budget of approximately PHP8.5 million. This funding will be sourced from the Special Education Fund, along with additional financing from Supplemental Budget No. 1, which received approval from the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) two weeks prior.

Data from the Department of Education indicates that 83,543 students from Kindergarten to Senior High School are currently enrolled in public schools across Iloilo City. During the school board meeting, a budget program for various school projects was also approved after identifying priority projects for the schools.

Mayor Tre±as noted that the city has 51 projects planned across 66 schools, with a focus on constructing school buildings. The primary goal is to reduce the student-to-classroom ratio, which presently stands at one classroom for every 40 to 50 learners. Some schools have resorted to conducting classes in shifts due to the shortage of facilities.

The mayor emphasized the importance of achieving a more conducive learning environment by aiming for an ideal classroom ratio of one for every 25 to 30 students, thereby enhancing educational experiences for students in the city.