On the November 15 episode of It’s Showtime, comedian and television host Vice Ganda once again used her platform to highlight pressing social issues—this time, the worsening classroom shortage in Philippine public schools.
During the program’s Laro-Laro segment, Vice engaged in a candid exchange with Len, a public school teacher who shared the challenges of managing thousands of students with limited facilities.
Len explained that her school has resorted to a blended-learning scheme to accommodate the sheer number of enrollees. “Naka-blended (learning) po kami—meron pong face-to-face, merong distance learning…para po magkakasya lahat ‘yung 4,000 (students),” she said, underscoring the strain on teachers and students alike.
Vice Ganda, known for her sharp wit and fearless commentary, did not let the moment pass without pointing out the systemic failure behind such arrangements. “Di ba? Gumagawa ng ganong sistema kasi may kakulangan sa silid-aralan! Kasi kung walang kakulangan sa silid, malayang magagamit ng mga mag-aaral anumang araw ang silid para makapag-aral,” she remarked, stressing that blended learning in this context is less about innovation and more about necessity.
The host went further, drawing parallels between the education crisis and the country’s healthcare woes. “Ginawa ang sistema na ‘yan para, ‘ok ‘wag muna kayo mag-aral, bahay muna kayo, kasi iba ang gagamit ng silid-aralan. Yun! Kulang tayo sa mga kama sa ospital, kulang din tayo ng silid-aralan para sa mga mag-aaral. So, saan papunta ang bansang ito?” Vice asked, her tone both incredulous and urgent.
Vice emphasized that while blended learning may be a workable stopgap, it remains a “band-aid solution” to a deeper problem. “Kailangan nating isigaw yun. Maganda ang sistemang yan, pero ‘yan ay band-aid solution para sa kakulangan ng silid aralan. We have to have more classrooms, more beds for the hospitals, more seats for the classrooms…” she declared, calling on authorities to address the root of the crisis rather than rely on temporary fixes.
In a striking anecdote, Vice revealed that in some areas, two classes are forced to share a single classroom simultaneously. “Meron pa nga akong—hindi ko na nga sasabihin kung anong lugar. Baka mag-react ‘yung Mayor…pero sa isang classroom, sabay ang dalawang klase,” she said, hinting at the dire conditions faced by students and teachers across the country.
This is not the first time Vice Ganda has spoken out about educational shortcomings. Recently, she drew attention in Sorsogon after revealing that she had personally helped rebuild dilapidated school buildings and provided supplies to impoverished students. The disclosure reportedly irked the local mayor, who felt the statement cast the provincial government in a negative light. Yet, Vice’s revelation was widely applauded by the public, who saw her actions as a courageous exposure of flaws in how local government units (LGUs) and the national government fulfill their responsibilities.
Vice’s advocacy resonates with many Filipinos who see education as a fundamental right but continue to witness overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and inadequate facilities. Her remarks on It’s Showtime reflect a growing frustration among educators and parents who feel that the government’s response to the education crisis has been insufficient.
The Department of Education has long acknowledged the shortage of classrooms nationwide, with estimates running into the tens of thousands. Rapid population growth, urban migration, and limited infrastructure budgets have compounded the problem. While stopgap measures like blended learning and double shifts have been implemented, critics argue that these approaches compromise the quality of education and place undue burdens on teachers and students.
Vice Ganda’s callout is emblematic of her broader role as a public figure who refuses to shy away from political and social commentary. By amplifying the voices of teachers like Len, she underscores the urgency of systemic reform. Her message is clear: classrooms are not luxuries but necessities, and without them, the promise of quality education remains unfulfilled.
As the Philippines continues to grapple with overlapping crises in education and healthcare, Vice’s words serve as both a critique and a rallying cry. “We have to have more classrooms, more beds for the hospitals, more seats for the classrooms,” she insisted.
For many viewers, the statement was not just entertainment—it was a reminder that the nation’s future hinges on how it invests in its children’s learning spaces.
