By CESAR JOLITO III

The Negros Island Region (NIR) is facing a shortage of 6,298 classrooms and 877 public school teachers for School Year 2025-2026, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

However, DepEd-NIR spokesperson Almyr Caezar Dequiña noted that the shortage is relatively smaller compared to other regions in the country.

“There is an increase in the need for classrooms and teachers in the region every year,” Dequiña said.

He pointed out that DepEd-NIR is doing everything in order to address the problem.

“We are fast-tracking the hiring process to address the teacher gap,” he said.

To mitigate the classroom shortage, schools are maximizing available spaces and implementing shifting class schedules.

Meanwhile, the enrollment in NIR has already reached 88.02 percent of the target.

As of June 23, a total of 1,295,463 learners in the K to 12 curriculum have enrolled in public schools in NIR.

“Since we still have late enrollees coming in, we expect that number to rise,” Dequiña said, adding that enrollment will remain open until Monday, June 30.

Dequiña also added that the consolidation of enrollment data is still ongoing, as the newly created NIR continues to coordinate with DepEd offices in Western (Region 6) and Central Visayas (Region 7).

The NIR is composed of Negros Occidental, previously under Region 6, as well as Negros Oriental and Siquijor, formerly part of Region 7.

DepEd-NIR aims to hit — if not surpass — its target of around 1.3 million enrollees before the enrollment deadline on Monday./CJ, WDJ