06 June 2011: A parent holds up a sign to call on incoming gradeschool students at a public elementary school in Sta. Mesa, Manila on the first day of school year 2011-2012. According to the ... more 

06 June 2011: A parent holds up a sign to call on incoming gradeschool students at a public elementary school in Sta. Mesa, Manila on the first day of school year 2011-2012. According to the Department of Education, an estimated 25.7-million students have enrolled this year with 22.05-million or 86% are in public schools while some 3.65-million are in private schools. However, education officials said that the country still needs an additional 60,000 classrooms to address the present 1 teacher to almost 80 students ratio. The ideal teacher:student ratio is 1 to 30. (Red Santos/NPPA Images) less