RA 9514

THE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (REVISED 2019)

DIVISION 9. EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES

SECTION 10.2.9.1 OCCUPANCY AND OCCUPANT LOAD

A. Classification of Educational Occupancies

1. Educational occupancies shall include all buildings used for the gathering of
groups of six (6) or more persons for purposes of instruction, such as
schools, universities, colleges, and academies.

2. Educational occupancy includes part-day, nursery schools, kindergartens,

and other schools whose purpose is primarily educational even though
the children are of pre-school age.

3. Other occupancies associated with educational institutions shall be in

accordance with the appropriate parts of this Chapter.

4. In cases where instruction is incidental to some other occupancy, the

Section of the Chapter governing such other occupancy shall apply.

B. Occupant Load

1. The occupant load of educational buildings or any individual storey or

section thereof for the purpose of determining exits shall not be less
than one (1) person for each one and nine tenths square meters (1.9
m2) of net classroom area or four and six tenths square meters (4.6 m 2)
of net area of shops, laboratories, and similar vocational rooms. In dry
nurseries where sleeping facilities are provided, the occupant load shall
be not less than one person for each three and three tenths square
meters (3.3 m2).

2. The occupant load of an area having mixed seats shall be determined by

the number of mixed seats installed. Required aisle space serving the
mixed seats shall not be used to increase the occupant load.

3. The occupant load of individual lecture rooms, gymnasiums, or cafeterias

used for assembly purposes of more than fty (50) persons shall be
determined in accordance with Section 10.2.8.1 of this RIRR.
SECTION 10.2.9.2 EXIT DETAILS

C. Capacity of Exits Capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with

Section 10.2.5.2 para “C” of this RIRR.

D. Minimum Number of Exits

1. Every room or space with a capacity of fty (50) or more persons or over
ninety-three square meters (93 m2) in area shall have at least two (2)
doorways as remote from each other as practicable. Such doorways
shall provide access to separate exits; but where egress is through
corridors, they shall open upon a common corridor leading to separate
exits in opposite directions.

2. Not less than two (2) separate exits shall be provided on every storey and
accessible from every part of every storey and mezzanine.

E. Travel Distance to Exits Travel distance to an exit from any point in a

building without an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system shall not
exceed forty-six meters (46 m), and shall not exceed sixty-one meters (61 m)
in any building protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system.

F.Access to Exits

1. Every aisle, corridor, balcony, other means of access to exits, and

discharge from exit shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of this
RIRR.

2. Any corridor shall be not less than one and eighty-three hundredths meters
(1.83 m) wide in the clear.

3. Doors which swing into an exit access corridor shall be recessed to prevent
interference with corridor traffic; any doors not so recessed shall open
the one hundred eighty degrees (180 ̊) to stop against the wall. Doors
in any position shall not reduce the required corridor width by more
than a half.

4. Drinking fountains or other equipment, fixed or movable, shall not be so placed as

to obstruct the required minimum one and eighty-three hundredths meters (1.83 m)
corridor width.

G. Exterior Corridors or Balconies

1. Where exterior corridors or balconies are provided as means of exit, they

 shall open to the outside air except for railings or balustrades with
stairs or level exits to grade not over seventy-six and one fourth meters
(76.25 m) apart, so located that an exit will be available in either
direction from the door to any individual room or space, with dead ends
not to exceed six meters (6 m). If balconies are enclosed by glass or in
any other manner, they shall be treated as interior corridors.

2. The oors of balconies (exterior corridors) and stairs shall be solid, without
openings, and shall comply with requirements for outside stairs as
regards balustrades or railings, width and pitch of stairs, and other
details, but are not required to be shielded from re within the building
by blank walls, wired glass windows or the like where the stairs are
located on the side of balcony or corridor away from the building and
are separated from the building by the full width of the balcony or
corridor.

H. Exit Arrangement

1. Exits shall be so arranged that at least two (2) separate exits will be
available from every floor area. Exits shall be as remote from each
other as practicable, so arranged that there will be no pockets or dead
ends in which occupants may be trapped, and in no case shall any
dead-end corridor extend more than six meters (6 m) beyond the
stairway or other means of exit therefrom.

2. Every classroom or room used for educational purposes or student

occupancy below the floor of exit discharge shall have access to at
least one (1) exit which leads directly to the exterior at level of
discharge without entering the floor above.

I. Types of ExitsExits of the specified number and width shall be of one (1) or more
of the following types, in accordance with the provisions of Division 5 of this
Chapter.

 Doors of the swinging type leading directly outside or through a lobby or

passageway leading to the outside of the building. Any exterior door and any
room door subject to use by (50) or more persons shall be operated by bars or
other panic hardware device with re-entry mechanism, in accordance with
Section 10.2.5.3 of this RIRR, except that a door leading directly to the outside
from a classroom occupied by less than fty (50) persons may be equipped with
the same knob-operated schoolhouse type lock as is used in classroom doors
leading to corridor, with no provision whatsoever for locking against egress from
the classroom.
 Horizontal exits
 Smoke proof enclosures
 Stairs
 Ramps

J. Additional Exit Details The provisions of this Section are based on

occupancy by normal individuals. Educational buildings used by persons with
physical or mental handicaps shall have additional features as may be
required by the C/MFM having jurisdiction to ensure safe use of such exits in
an emergency.
K. Dead-End CorridorsDead end corridors shall not exceed six meters (6m).

SECTION 10.2.9.3 LIGHTING AND SIGNS

L. All educational buildings shall have adequate exit illumination in accordance

with Section 10.2.5.11 of this RIRR. Flexible plan and open plan buildings and
buildings designed for night occupancy and portions of buildings having
interior and windowless rooms, areas, and corridors shall have emergency
lighting.

M. All educational buildings shall have signs designating the location of exits or
the path of travel to reach them, in accordance with Section 10.2.5.12 of this
RIRR.

SECTION 10.2.9.4 WINDOWS FOR RESCUE AND VENTILATION

Except in buildings protected with approved, supervised sprinkler system in

accordance with Section 10.2.6.7 of this RIRR, every room or space used for
classroom or other educational purposes or normally subject to student occupancy,
unless it has a door leading directly to the outside of building, shall have at least one
outside window which can readily be used for emergency rescue or ventilation
purposes, and which meets all of the following provisions:

N. It can readily be opened from the inside without the use of tools.

O. It provides a clear opening with a minimum dimension of ve hundred sixty

millimeters (560 mm) in width and eight hundred millimeters (800 mm) in
height.

P. The bottom of window opening is not more than eight hundred twenty
millimeters (820 mm) above the door; and

Q. Where storm windows, screens, or anti-burglar devices are used, these shall
be provided with quick opening mechanism so that they may be readily
opened from the inside for emergency egress, and shall be so arranged that
when opened they will not drop to the ground.

SECTION 10.2.9.5 PROTECTION

R. Vertical Opening Any interior stairways and other vertical openings in
educational buildings shall be enclosed and protected in accordance with
Section 10.2.6.5 of this RIRR, except when it serves only one adjacent door
other than a basement; it is not connected to other stairway serving other
floors; and it is not connected with corridors or stairways serving other floors.

S. Interior Corridors

1. Every interior corridor shall be of construction having not less than a half-
hour (1/2-hr) re resistance rating, and all openings therein protected
accordingly. Room doors may be forty-four millimeters (44 mm) solid
bonded core wood doors or the equivalent. Such corridor protection
shall not be required when all classrooms served by such corridors
have at least one door directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony
or corridor as in Section 10.2.9.2 of this RIRR.

2. Any interior corridor more than ninety-one meters (91 m) in length shall be
divided into sections not to exceed ninety-one meters (91 m) in length
by smoke partitions installed in accordance with Section 10.2.6.3 of this
RIRR.

T.Interior Finish Interior finish shall be Class A in corridors, stairways and other
means of egress, and may be Class B or Class C elsewhere, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 10.2.6.4 of this RIRR.

U. Fire Alarm System

1. Approved re alarm facilities capable of being manually operated in

accordance with Section 10.2.6.6 of this RIRR shall be provided in
every educational building.

2. In building provided with automatic re suppression system, the operation of

the system shall automatically actuate electrical school re alarm
system.

V. Automatic Fire Suppression System

1. Every portion of educational buildings below the floor of exit discharge,

being utilized as classroom or laboratory, shall be protected with
approved, supervised sprinkler system in accordance with Section
10.2.6.7 of this RIRR: a. throughout the storey containing the
classroom or laboratory; and b. at the level of exit discharge

2. When the building is classified as high rise it shall be completely protected

by approved, supervised sprinkler system.
 W. Hazardous Areas An area used for general storage, boiler or furnace rooms,
fuel storage, janitor closets, maintenance shops, including woodworking and
painting areas, laundries and kitchen shall be separated from other parts of
the building with construction having not less than one (1) hour re resistance
rating, and all openings shall be protected with self-closing re doors, or such
area shall be provided with automatic re suppression system. Where the
hazard is high as determined by the C/MFM having jurisdiction, both the re
resistive separation and automatic re suppression system shall be provided.
X. equipmentCooking equipment shall be protected in accordance with Section
10.2.7.1 of this RIRR.

SECTION 10.2.9.6 BUILDING SERVICES EQUIPMENT

Y. Elevators

1. An elevator shall not constitute as required means of exit.

2. When an educational occupancy is more than three (3) storeys and

equipped with automatic elevators, one (1) or more elevators shall be
designed and equipped for re emergency use by fire fighters, as
specified in Section 10.2.7.5 of this RIRR. Key operation shall transfer
automatic elevator operation to manual and bring elevator to ground or
first floor for use of fire fighters. The elevator shall be situated so as to
be readily accessible. If the building is equipped with only one (1)
elevator, the same shall be equipped with fire fighter’s switch to be
capable of being manually operated.

Z.Air conditioningEvery air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating installation shall

comply with Division 7 of this Chapter.

AA. Electrical Wiring and Equipment Electrical wiring and equipment shall be in
accordance with provisions of the latest edition of PEC, and all cooking,
heating, incinerating and other building services equipment shall be installed
in accordance with Division 7 of this Chapter.

SECTION 10.2.9.7 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR FLEXIBLE PLAN AND OPEN-

PLAN BUILDINGS

A. Definitions as Used in this Section

1. Flexible plan and open-plan educational buildings or portion of a building

not having corridors which comply with Section 10.2.9.1 of this RIRR
and are designed for multiple teaching stations.

a. Flexible plan buildings have movable corridor walls and movable

 partitions of full height construction with doors leading from
rooms to corridors. Flexible plan buildings without exit access
doors between rooms and corridors shall be classified as open
plan buildings.

b. Open-plan buildings have rooms and corridors delineated by use of

tables, chairs, desks, bookcases, counters, low height partitions,
or similar furnishings.

2. Common Atmosphere. A common atmosphere exists between rooms,

spaces or areas within a building, which are not separated by an
approved smoke partition.

3. Separate Atmosphere. A separate atmosphere exists between rooms,

spaces, or areas, which are separated by an approved smoke partition.

4. Smoke Partition. For purposes of this Section, smoke partitions shall also
include floors and openings therein, in accordance with Section
10.2.6.3 of this RIRR.

5. Room. For the purpose of this Section, a room is a space or area bounded
by an obstruction to egress which at any time enclose more than eighty
percent (80%) of the perimeter of the space or area. Openings of less
than two meters (2 m) high shall not be considered in computing the
unobstructed perimeter.

6. Interior Room. A room whose only means of egress is through an adjoining

or intervening room, which is not an exit.

7. Separate Means of Egress. A means of egress separated in such a

manner from other means of egress as to provide an atmosphere
separation, which precludes contamination of both means of egress by
the same re, in accordance with Division 5 of this Chapter.

B. Area Limitations and Separations

 Flexible plan and open-plan buildings shall not exceed two thousand seven
hundred eighty-seven square meters (2,787 m2) in undivided area. A solid
wall or smoke partition shall be provided at maximum intervals of ninety-one
meters (91 m) and openings in such walls or partition shall comply with
Section 10.2.6.3 of this RIRR.
 Vertical openings shall be enclosed as required by Section 10.2.6.5 of this
RIRR.
 Stages in places of assembly shall be separated from school areas by
 construction of non-combustible materials having at least a two-hour (2-hr) re
resistance rating and shall comply with Section 10.2.8.3 of this RIRR.
 Shops, laboratories, and similar vocational rooms, as well as storage rooms,
shall be separated from school areas by construction having at least one (1)
hour re resistance rating; they shall have exits independent from other areas.

General Provisions

C. The specific requirements of this Section are not intended to prevent the
design or use of other systems, equipment or techniques, which will
effectively prevent the products of combustion from breaching the
atmospheric separation.

D. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply only to the requirements for
providing separate atmosphere. The re resistance requirements shall comply
with other provisions of this Chapter.

1. Walls, partitions and floors forming all of or part of an atmospheric

separation shall be of materials consistent with the requirements for the
type of construction, but of construction not less effective than a smoke
partition. Openings in walls or partition used to allow the passage of
light shall be wired glass set in metal frames.

2. Every door opening therein shall be protected with a re assembly as

required in this Chapter, but not less than a self-closing or automatic
closing, tight-fitting smoke assembly having a re protection rating of not
less than twenty (20) minutes.

3. Ducts penetrating atmospheric separation walls, partitions, or doors

shall be equipped with an approved automatic-closing smoke damper
when having openings into more than one atmosphere or atmospheric
separation shall be maintained by an approved method of smoke
control.

4. All automatic-closing re assemblies installed in the atmospheric

separation shall be activated by approved smoke detectors.

5. Janitor closets and storage rooms shall be enclosed by materials

having one (1) hour re resistance. Stages and enclosed platform shall
be constructed in accordance with Section 10.2.8.3 of this RIRR.

E. Means of Egress
 1. Each room occupied by more than three hundred (300) persons shall
have one (1) of its exit access doors through a separate means of
egress. Where three (3) or more means of egress are required, not
more than two (2) of them shall enter into the same means of egress.

2. Means of egress from interior rooms may pass through an adjoining or

in intervening room, provided that the travel distance do not exceed
those set forth in the succeeding paragraph. Foyers and lobbies
constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as
intervening rooms. Where the only means of egress from a room is
through an adjoining or intervening room, smoke detectors shall be
installed in the area of common atmosphere through which the means
of egress must pass. The detectors shall actuate alarms audible in the
interior room and shall be connected to the school re alarm system.

F. Travel Distance to ExitsNo point in a building shall be more than forty-six

meters (46 m) from an exit, measured in accordance with Section 10.2.5.2 of
this RIRR.

G. Interior Finish Interior finish in flexible plan and open-plan buildings shall be
as follows:

1. Corridors in flexible plan buildingsClass A on rigid material which will

not deform at temperature below two hundred thirty-two degrees
Celsius (232 ̊C).

2. Other than corridor wallsClass A and Class B throughout, except that

fixtures and low height partitions may be Class C. In one-storey
buildings the exposed portions of structural members complying with
the requirements for heavy timber construction may be permitted in
accordance with Section 10.2.6.4 of this RIRR.

H. Variable Plans

1. Flexible plan schools may have walls and partitions rearranged

periodically, only after revised plans or diagrams have been approved
by the C/MFM having jurisdiction.

2. Open-plan schools shall have furniture, fixtures, or low height partitions

so arranged that exits be clearly visible and unobstructed, and exit
paths are direct, not circuitous. If paths or corridors are established,
they shall be at least as wide as required by Section 10.2.9.2 of this
RIRR.
 I. Sprinkler Systems

1. Any flexible plan building or open plan building in which the travel
distance to exits exceeds forty-six meters (46 m) shall have approved,
supervised sprinkler systems in accordance with Section 10.2.6.7 of
this RIRR. Such systems shall be electrically interconnected with the
school re alarm system.

2. Automatic re suppression systems shall be modified to conform with

partition changes. Modification plans shall have prior approval of the
C/MFM having jurisdiction.

SECTION 10.2.9.9 UNDERGROUND AND WINDOWLESS EDUCATIONAL

BUILDINGS

The provisions of Section 10.2.19.10 of this RIRR shall apply to Underground and
Windowless Educational Buildings and such buildings shall be provided completely
with automatic re suppression system.

SECTION 10.2.9.10 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR COMBINED OCCUPANCIES

BB. Assembly and Educational Any auditorium, assembly room, cafeteria,

gymnasium used for assembly purposes such as athletic events with
provisions for seating of spectators, or other spaces subject to assembly
occupancy shall comply with Division 8 of this Chapter, which provides that
where auditorium and gymnasium exits lead through corridors stairways also
serving as exits for other parts of the building, the exit capacity shall be
sufficient to permit simultaneous exit from auditorium and classroom sections.

CC. Dormitory and Classroom Any building used for both classroom and
dormitory purposes shall comply with the applicable provisions of Division 14
of this Chapter in addition to complying with Division 9 of this Chapter. Where
Classroom and dormitory sections are not subject to simultaneous occupancy,
the same exit capacity may serve both sections.

DD. Other Combined Occupancies Any other combinations of occupancy not

covered in this Section shall comply with all applicable Divisions of this
Chapter, with exits adequate to serve all occupancies simultaneously.

SECTION 10.2.9.11 EXISTING EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS

EE. General An existing building being used for educational occupancies

established prior to the effective date of RA 9514 and its RIRR may have its
use continued if it conforms or is made to conform to the provisions of this
 Rule to the extent that, in the opinion of the C/MFM having jurisdiction,
reasonable life safety against the hazards of re, explosion, and panic is
provided and maintained subject to the provisions of para “B” through “E”
below.

FF. Additional Protection The provision of additional means of egress,

automatic re suppression system, area separations, emergency lighting, and
other alternate means of protection may be used to provide reasonable life
safety from re and panic.

GG. Exits

1. Exit de ciency may be corrected by adding additional exits, preferably those

which will provide direct exit to the outside from classroom or student-
occupied areas.
2. In lieu of direct exit to the outside from classrooms, additional life safety may
be afforded by the provisions of communicating doors between classrooms or
student-occupied areas to provide access to at least one (1) exit stair without
passing through interior corridors.

HH. Interior Finish In existing educational buildings which have interior finish that
do not comply with the requirements for new buildings, the provisions of
Section 10.2.6.4 of this RIRR shall be acceptable as alternate requirements.

II.Fire Alarm Systems Requirements for Fire Alarm System for existing educational
buildings shall conform to those required for new educational buildings, in
accordance with para “D” of Section 10.2.9.5 of this RIRR.

B.P. 344
2.1 Architectural facilities and features:
2.1.1 A – Stairs
2.1.2 B – Walkways
2.1.3 C – Corridors
2.1.4 D – Doors and Entrance
2.1.5 E – Washrooms and Toilets
2.1.6 F – Lifts/Elevator
2.1.7 G – Ramps
2.1.8 H – Parking Areas
2.1.9 I – Switches, Controls, Buzzers
2.1.10 J – Handrails
2.1.11 K – Thresholds
2.1.12 L – Floor Finishes
2.1.13 M – Drinking Fountains
2.1.14 N – Public Telephones
2.1.15 O – Seating Accommodations
5.1 Group C
5.1.1 Educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities, vocational schools,
seminaries and novitiates), including school auditoriums, gymnasia, reviewing
stands, little theaters and concert halls. Barrier-free facilities and features required in:
A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, and O.
5.1.2 Libraries, museums, exhibition halls and art galleries Barrier-free facilities and
features required in: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, and O.

NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Building Height Limit: 15.00 meters (or must follow duly–approved BHL in the
major zone it is part of)

Minimum Required Off-Street (Off-RROW) cum On-Site Parking Slot, Parking

Area and Loading/Unloading Space Requirements by Allowed Use or
Occupancy:

Private Colleges and Universities: One (1) car slot for every three (3) classrooms;
one (1) off-RROW (or off-street) passenger loading space that can accommodate
two (2) queued jeepney/shuttle slots; and one (1) school bus slot for every one
hundred (100) students

Regulatory framework for Philippine private schools and practices

in APEC Schools

Facilities

Standards Set by the Department of Education:

1 “Private schools should own adequate sites for their own buildings, for physical
education and athletics, military training and recreation . . .” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.7)

2 “In meritorious cases, a school may be allowed to lease its premises; however, a
grace period may be allowed by the Department such that the private school
concerned shall have: (1) acquired its own school site within five (5) years from the
date of filing of the application for permit to operate; and (2) constructed school
buildings/facilities on said school site within ten (10) years from the said filing of the
application for permit to operate.” (DO 11-2011, 3b, amending DO 88-2010, Sec.
30.7)

3 “should be free from noise, unpleasant odors and dust, and should be sufficiently
far from cockpits, dancing halls, bowling alleys, movie houses, markets, garbage
dumps, funeral parlors, cemeteries, heavy traffic highway, jails, railroad yards, and
manufacturing and industrial establishments” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.7)
4 “The government recognition of a school which is transferred to another location is
deemed cancelled” except when the new site and buildings “are found to be much
better than the former, and if all other standards have been satisfactorily maintained”
(DO 88-2010, Sec. 37)

5 “Unless exempted by the Secretary, each private school shall own its site, or shall
have a definite and feasible program for ultimate ownership thereof with a
reasonable period, which should be adequate and suitable for the buildings and
activities of the school.” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 160)

6 “Each private school shall likewise own its buildings, unless otherwise exempted
for special reasons by the Secretary.” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 163)

7 For laboratory-oriented courses, shall have “appropriate and suitable laboratory

rooms and equipment and supplies” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 165)

8 School library of adequate quality, considering the educational levels and coverage
and representativeness of coverage, and quantity, based on the enrolment size (DO
88-2010, Sec. 166) Reference and supplementary reading materials, including
encyclopedia, dictionaries, fiction and nonfiction books, almanacs, atlas, etc.;
subscription to periodicals; adequate number of professional books; audio-visual
equipment and materials; an initial collection of 4,000 for enrolment of 500 or less
(DO 88-2010, Sec. 170b)

9 School library “administered by an educationally qualified and professionally

trained librarian” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 166)

Practice Observed in APEC Schools:

1 APEC has been allowed to lease instead of own its school sites, in which some
teachers have described the classrooms as “crammed,” “congested,” “poorly
ventilated” and insufficient for physical education and laboratoryoriented classes
(Riep, 2015, p. 32). The DepEd-APEC MOA (2013) allows APEC to “secure facilities
by means of lease contracts with a minimum 3-year term” (Sec. 3.2.2).

1 It also intends to lease other facilities depending on use: “Sports and arts facilities:
schools would be in close proximity to community facilities, fields and art centers that
can be leased for extra-curricular activities” (MOU by DepEd et al., 2013, Appendix
A, p. 5). As stated in the MOU by DepEd et al. (2013): “The determination by the
DepEd of the adequacy of school facilities of APEC Schools shall be based solely on
the APEC Model . . . and shall be on an examination of the school facilities as a
whole. Hence, individual components of the APEC Model relevant to facility
adequacy shall not, by themselves, be considered grounds to declare the facilities of
an APEC School inadequate, provided that the APEC School complies with the
APEC Model and Health and Safety standards in determining adequacy of school
facilities.” (Sec. 2.2.1)
2 “APEC has been given special permission to rent commercial property, with no
plans for ultimate ownership” (Riep, 2015, p. 31). As stated: “DepEd Central Office
shall allow APEC SCHOOL to lease its school sites and buildings, without need for
an ----- plan of owning the same, provided that the school sites and buildings are
adequate and suitable for education purposes in accordance with the AP Model and
the lease term for the school site is at least three (3) years.” (DepEd-APEC MOA,
2013, Sec. 4.1.3)

2 As the model annexed to the MOU by DepEd et al. (2013, Appendix A, p. 4)

stipulates: “Buildings: facilities will be leased, initially under shortterm arrangements
(e.g. 4 years), then potentially long-term (e.g. 10 years) once a location is proven.”
(See also DepEd-APEC MOA, Sec. 3.2.2.)

3 The model described in the DepEd-APEC MOA (2013, Annex A) says that APEC
will comply with the school location requirements (p. 1). The provision in DO 88-2010
does not prohibit locating in buildings used for other purposes, but the schools have
been placed in the upper levels of commercial buildings, with the lower levels
occupied by businesses such as banks and auto repair shops (Riep, 2015, p. 32).

3 Looking at APEC’s photos of its school sites (APEC, 2016c), at least 10 may be
clearly identified as being situated in upper level of buildings, or 1/3 of the sites.
Some of these buildings are also along main thoroughfares. According to a former
teacher (personal communication, October 17, 2016), noise from other building
occupants and from the street sometimes harm students’ and teachers’
concentration.

7 There are no science laboratories (Riep, 2015, p. 32; Aquino 2016, “Leased
spaces”, para. 2). The MOU by DepEd et al. (2013, Appendix A, p. 4) refers to
“mobile lab equipment: portable kits of science and math equipment to facilitate
interactive learning . . . shared across a cluster of schools in an area.” A former
teacher (personal communication, October 17, 2016) noted that there were some
supplies in their site, but the equipment, like a microscope, was brought to the site
when needed.

8 Libraries, if existent, are not fully stocked (Riep, 2015, pp. 32, 35). A digital library
is used, as opposed to a physical library, but no specifications or detailed
requirements in terms of quantity, type and content are given in the MOU by DepEd
et al. (2013, Appendix A, p. 5; DepEd-APEC MOA, 2013, Annex A, p. 3). The
checklist of the APEC model simply said that APEC will “provide materials necessary
for the program” and “provide list of digital content listings” (DepEd-APEC MOA,
2013, Annex A, p. 3). A former teacher (personal communication, October 17, 2016)
mentioned that in their site, no such digital library was available, and the use of the
electronic devices for research was not feasible given the inadequate internet
infrastructure. At times, teachers have to bring their own reference materials for
students’ use.
9 The services of the school librarian are also shared: “assign a School Librarian to
manage the digital library for all AP Schools” (DepEd-APEC MOA, 2013, Annex A, p.
2). However, a former APEC teacher (personal communication, October 17, 2016)
noted that, in their site, they were not aware that the APEC system has a librarian.

Notes for Legislative/Legal Action and Research:

1 The agreement between APEC and DepEd did not indicate minimum standards for
the leased spaces and it is unclear whether the leased spaces will have to conform
to the DepEd minimum standards for private schools (that apply when the school site
is owned; see Section C of this document, pages 7-8). A former APEC teacher
(personal communication, October 17, 2016) has noted how old office spaces are
not appropriate for use as a classroom.

2 APEC being allowed to lease without plans to own the site is clearly a concession
or favor that has been afforded to it by DepEd.

5 The phrase “unless exempted by the Secretary” allowed for the waiver now in
effect with APEC.

8 It appears that students are not ensured access to other study materials or
references in the school.

9 Non-teaching personnel are shared—school registrar, medical and dental

personnel and school librarian. The guidance counsellor is also shared among sites
in a cluster of APEC Schools (DepEd-APEC MOA, 2013, Annex A, p. 2). A former
teacher (personal communication, October 17, 2016) said that when needed, the
services of the guidance counsellor has to be scheduled and only then will the
counsellor come to the school.

Facilities (for compliance prior to issuance of permit)

Standards Set by the Department of Education:

1 Minimum areas of school sites depending on school enrolment, at a minimum of

0.5 ha for 50 or fewer students and 1 ha for every thousand of students (DO 88-
2010, Sec. 30.8)

2 “Situated far from traffic, neighbors and fire hazards” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.9a)

3 Equipped with safety devices and built for prompt and safe evacuation in case of
fire, typhoon or earthquake (DO 88- 2010, Sec. 30.9b-c)
4 “Provided with satisfactory toilet facilities, separate for students and faculty by
gender” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.9d)

5 “Adequately and properly lighted and ventilated” (DO 88- 2010, Sec. 30.9e)

6 “Contains sufficient space, furniture and fixtures for the general needs of the
administrative staff, faculty and students” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.9f) “Accessible and
suitable administrative office, faculty rooms and library” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.9h)
“Adequate space for student/personnel services” (DO 88- 2010, Sec. 30.9i)

7 “Sufficient space for Home Economics and other vocational courses” (DO 88-2010,
Sec. 30.9j)

8 “The doors of the classrooms and laboratory rooms lead or open towards the
corridors” (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.9k)

9 For buildings of 2 or more storeys, there must be at least 2 stairs of minimum width
of 2 meters and provision for students with special needs (DO 88-2010, Sec. 30.9l)

Practice Observed in APEC Schools:

1 Given that some campuses have three to four office rooms converted into
classrooms (Riep, 2015, p. 32), it may be safe to assume that they do not meet the
area requirements. A former teacher (personal communication, October 17, 2016)
also noted how the limited area of their school site did not allow for sufficient
movement or exercise by students during breaks. APEC’s compliance checklist
(DepEd-APEC MOA, 2013, Annex A, p. 1) sets a “target ratio [of] 1sqm per student.”

2 The AP Model described in the DepEd-APEC MOA (2013, Annex A) states that it
“will comply” with the requirement for the “location of school in relation to the
environment” (p. 1). (Also see Item B.3 above)

3 (Provision may vary by site)

4 (Provision may vary by site)

5 Teachers have been quoted as saying that conditions in the classrooms have been
“unbearable,” with overcrowding and poor ventilation. To further cut costs, the rooms
in some sites have fans, instead of air-conditioning (Riep, 2015, p. 32).

6 In a site Riep visited for his study, the administrative and faculty offices occupied
the same room, making the space “constrained and not really suitable” for their
intended purpose (personal communication, September 29, 2016). (Also see Items
B.8 and C.1 above)
7 Subject to need, this space will also be leased (DepEd-APEC MOA, 2013, Annex
A, p. 2).

9 In the sites observed, mostly with the classrooms in the upper levels of buildings,
accessibility is limited. No provisions for students with disabilities are visible (Riep,
personal communication, September 29, 2016).

Notes for Legislative/Legal Action and Research:

1 It can be assumed that the 1 sqm requirement applies to the classroom space
allocated for each student, as also required by the National Building Code.
Complying with only this requirement means that not only the ownership requirement
was waived but also the site area requirement. If the area requirement were to be
followed, having 50 or fewer students and 0.5 ha translates into a space of 100
sqm/student; and having 1,000 students and 1 ha space means 10 sqm/student.

6 This lack of space also has implications for teachers’ welfare.

7 APEC does not offer vocation courses, but space will still be required for Home
Economics classes.