The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched the Generation HOPE program, a new initiative aimed at easing the country’s long-standing classroom shortage. Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education.
“Sa tulong ng HOPE at ng ating mga private partners, nais naming patunayan na kapag nagkaisa ang pribado at pampublikong sektor, mas mabilis nating matutupad ang pangarap na walang batang naiwan sa edukasyon,” Angara said. He added that the effort reflects the spirit of Bagong Pilipinas, where “hope is not something we wait for but something we build together.”
Classrooms Designed for Resilience and Learning
The HOPE classrooms are specifically designed to withstand the country’s harsh weather conditions while creating safe, functional learning spaces. Each structure measures 7-by-9 meters and comes with a chalkboard, a teacher’s desk, wall fans, wide windows for ventilation, and a cathedral-style ceiling to promote cooler airflow.
Importantly, every classroom is also equipped with a toilet to improve the overall school experience for students and teachers. DepEd said these facilities complement the government’s existing classroom-building initiatives under public-private partnerships (PPP), ensuring resources are directed to underserved areas that need them most.
Turning Profits Into Classrooms
Generation HOPE, a pioneering social enterprise, reinvests 100 percent of its profits from products like Hope in a Bottle and Hope in a Box into classroom construction. Through collaborations with leading local brands, the group aims to expand its reach and help address the shortage that has long challenged the Philippine education system.
By transforming consumer purchases into concrete classrooms, the initiative demonstrates how business and education can work hand in hand for social good. DepEd expressed confidence that Generation HOPE will inspire more organizations to take part in nation-building.
