The Ideal Class Size in the Philippine Setting for Quality Education

In the Philippine public school system, class size has long been a topic of concern among educators, parents, and policymakers. With the country’s growing population and limited educational resources, overcrowded classrooms have become the norm rather than the exception. However, research and experience suggest that class size plays a crucial role in delivering quality education, and finding the “ideal” number of students per class can make a tangible difference in learning outcomes.

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Why Class Size Matters

Class size affects both the teaching and learning process. Smaller classes allow teachers to provide more individualized attention, monitor student progress closely, and address learning gaps in real time. In contrast, overly large classes make classroom management more challenging, increase teacher workload, and limit opportunities for meaningful interaction between teacher and student.

Educational studies worldwide — including findings from the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) — show that students in smaller classes tend to have higher academic performance, better behavior, and more positive attitudes toward learning.

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The Current Situation in Public Schools

DepEd guidelines under the Philippine Basic Education Facilities Manual recommend a maximum of 40 students per classroom for Grades 1–10 and 40–50 students for Senior High School. However, actual conditions often exceed these numbers, particularly in urban and high-density areas. Reports of classes with 50 to 60 students are not uncommon, forcing teachers to use multi-shift schedules and limiting each student’s learning time.

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Finding the Ideal Number

Given the realities of the Philippine context, a practical yet effective “ideal” class size for public schools would likely be 25–30 students per class. This range strikes a balance between providing personalized instruction and maintaining cost efficiency in a resource-limited system.

Why 25–30 is optimal in the Philippine setting:

1. Individualized Attention – Teachers can track each student’s progress without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Better Classroom Management – Fewer students mean fewer disruptions and more time spent on actual teaching.

3. Improved Learning Outcomes – Students participate more actively and receive timely feedback.

4. Health and Safety – Smaller classes are easier to manage in emergencies and allow more physical space, especially important in post-pandemic learning environments.

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Challenges to Achieving Ideal Class Size

Reducing class size in Philippine public schools is easier said than done. The main hurdles include:

• Teacher Shortage – More classes require more teachers, and recruitment often struggles to keep pace with demand.

• Infrastructure Limitations – Many schools lack enough classrooms to accommodate smaller class groups.

• Budget Constraints – Public school funding has to be balanced against other national priorities.

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Steps Toward the Goal

To work toward the 25–30 student ideal, the following strategies could be implemented:

1. Accelerated Classroom Construction – Prioritize school building projects in overcrowded districts.

2. Hiring and Training More Teachers – Incentivize teaching careers through competitive salaries and professional development.

3. Flexible Learning Modalities – Blend face-to-face instruction with online or modular learning to reduce physical class sizes without compromising instructional time.

4. Community Partnerships – Collaborate with local governments and private institutions to expand learning spaces.

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While the current realities in Philippine public schools make large class sizes inevitable in many areas, aiming for 25–30 students per class should be a long-term goal. Achieving this will require coordinated efforts from the national government, local authorities, educators, and communities. Smaller classes may demand more resources, but the return — a generation of learners better equipped with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking — is an investment the nation cannot afford to delay.

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