PRESCHOOLS

PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IS RECOGNIZED AS A STAGE WHERE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

HAS LONG BEEN FELT. THE PRESENT STANDARDS FOR PRESCHOOL EDUCATION CONSIDER THE CHILD,
THE TEACHER AND THE SCHOOL WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY IN MAXIMIZING THE CHILDS
POTENTIALS AND HIS CAPACITY FOR LEARNING. THE STIMULATING AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES
PROVIDED IN ALL ASPECTS THAT WILL MAKE HIM A SOCIALLY SENSITIVE, INDEPENDENT, SPIRITUAL AND
RATIONAL INDIVIDUAL. THE TEACHER IS THEREFORE EXPECTED TO COME UP WITH A CLASS PROGRAM
SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN IN A PARTICULAR SCHOOL.
HEREUNDER ARE THE STANDARDS FOR THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE SCHOOL SITE, THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND THE LEARNING EQUIPMENT FOR A PRESCHOOL).

A. NURSERY (PRE-KINDERGARTEN)
NURSERY IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION BELOW KINDERGARTEN, THE ADMISSION AGE FOR WHICH
IS AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS BUT NOT MORE THAN FOUR (4) YEARS OLD. AS STATED IN MEC ORDER
NO. 24, S. 1978 DATED JULY 26, 1978 THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND
OPERATION OF NURSERY CLASSES ARE REQUIRED:
CLASS SIZE MAXIMUM OF 15 CHILDREN TO A CLASS
CLASS HOURS 2 HOURS DAILY
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE FLOOR AREA OF AT LEAST 7M X 9M IN A 500 TO 1,000 SQUARE
METERS LOT
a.
b.
c.

TOILET AND WASHING FACILITIES MUST BE ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO SERVE THE

NUMBER OF ENROLLEES.
HAZARDS TO SAFETY OF SMALL CHILDREN MUST BE LOOKED INTO SUCH AS WELLS,
DIGGINGS, STAIRWAYS, POOLS, ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS, ETC. TO MINIMIZE OR
ELIMINATE ACCIDENTS
ACTIVITY CENTERS
LISTENING/SPEAKING AND ACTING AREA
READING CORNER
HOUSEKEEPING AREA
AESTHETIC CENTER
WORK AREA
HEALTH/CLEANLINESS AREA
PLAYGROUND

B. SCHOOL SITE (FOR KINDERGARTEN ONLY)

DECS ORDER NO. 107 S., 1989 DATED NOVEMBER 10, 1989 STATED THE STANDARDS FOR THE
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF PRESCHOOLS (KINDERGARTEN LEVEL). THESE ARE:
1. MINIMUM LOT AREA 500 SQUARE METERS (SQ. M.)
(FOR NOT MORE THAN 4 CLASSES)
CLASSROOM
140 SQ. M. (MINIMUM)
PLAYGROUND
360 SQ. M.
1. ALTERNATIVE SPACE FOR PLAYGROUND NEAREST PARK OR OPEN SPACE NOT MORE THAN
200 METERS FROM WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE SCHOOL. THIS ARRANGEMENT MUST BE APPROVED
IN WRITING BY THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PARK OR OPEN SPACE.
2. SCHOOL SITE MUST BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, MUST NOT SERVE AS
RESIDENCE OF THE OWNER AND SHOULD NOT BE A CONVERTIBLE SCHOOL (DURING DAY TIME IS USED
AS SCHOOL AND AFTER CLASS HOURS IS A RESIDENCE OR USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES)
3. PROVISION FOR OFFICE, TEACHERS ROOM, MUSIC AND LIBRARY ROOM OR ROOMS COMBINING
ANY TWO OF THESE MUST BE CONSIDERED.
CLASSROOM SIZE SHOULD BE 1.5 SQUARE METERS PER CHILD

C. EQUIPMENT
A. PLAYGROUND AND GARDEN
PLAYGROUND APPARATUSES MUST BE INSTALLED IN THE SCHOOL GROUND (JUNGLE
GYM, SANDBOX, SLIDE, BALANCE BEAMS, SIMPLE OBSTACLES TIRES AND TUNNELS)
B. CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT AND FIXTURES
FURNITURE (TABLES, CHAIRS, SHELVES, LOCKERS AND CABINETS MUST CONFORM TO
THE STANDARDS BASED ON AN ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENT OF PRESCHOOL AGE
CHILDREN, BOTH IN STANDING AND SITTING POSITIONS.
BEDS AND/OR MATS MAY BE PROVIDED FOR REST PERIODS.

D. HEALTH FACILITIES AND PROVISIONS FOR SAFETY

AT LEAST ONE (1) TOILET SEAT FOR EVERY 25 CHILDREN AT ONE TIME, PREFERABLY WITH
SEPARATE BATH ROOM FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
FIRST AID KITS MUST BE AVAILABLE
A REST AREA MAY BE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN. (FREE FROM HAZARDS SUCH AS DIGGINGS,
STAIRWAYS, POOLS, OPEN ELECTRIC WIRES AND UNSAFE OUTLETS)
PROPER AND ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND VENTILATION
THERE SHOULD BE NATURAL AND ELECTRIC LIGHTING
FOR A 7 X 9 CLASSROOM, AT LEAST TWO (2) 40 WATT FLUORESCENT LAMPS AND ONE
(1)WIDE WINDOW
* ELECTRIC FANS TO ALLOW CROSS VENTILATION.

E. ACTIVITY CENTERS OR AREAS WHICH MAY CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING OR THEIR

EQUIVALENT:
PERSONAL CARE AND GROOMING
MIRROR, COMB, TOWEL, TOOTHBRUSH, SOAP, TOILETRIES, ETC.
HOUSE AND GARDEN CARE
GARDEN TOOLS (SHOVEL, SPADE, PAILS, SPRINKLERS, SANDTABLE, CLEANING
TOOLS, ETC.)
COMMUNICATION SKILLS CORNER
BOOKS (TWO BOOKS PER CHILD) STORY BOOKS, SCIENCE/NATURE BOOKS,
FILIPINIANA, ETC.
SENSORY-PERCEPTUAL AND NUMERACY SKILLS CORNER
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS CORNER
(COUNTERS, BEADS, NUMBER CARDS, NATURE TABLES, ETC.)

F. MOTOR AND CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT CORNER

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS (BAMBOO CASTANETS, COCONUT MARACAS), TAMBOURINE, TAPE
RECORDER OR PHONOGRAPH
DEPED ORDER NO. 93, S. 2009 (SEPTEMBER 10, 2009) PRESCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM,
PRESCRIBES THE CLASSROOM AND FURNITURE DESIGN FOR PRE-SCHOOL (INCLUDING FLOOR PLAN AND
FURNITURE DESIGNS).

THE DESIGN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS

EVERYONE WANTS SAFE AND AFFORDABLE SCHOOLS THAT FUNCTION WELL, THAT IS, THEY
MUST RESPOND TO THREE (3) BASIC NEEDS: SECURITY, IDENTITY, AND OPPORTUNITY.
MOST SCHOOL BUILDINGS ANSWER STUDENTS IDENTITY NEEDS. A WELL-DESIGNED SCHOOL
ENCOURAGES BETTER STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND MAKES A LASTING IMPRESSION TO THE
COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.
IN THE PHILIPPINES, IN VIEW OF BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS, THESE BASIC NEEDS ARE TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT IN ANY RENOVATION OR NEW BUILDING PLANS, THUS DESIGN GUIDELINES HAVE TO BE
CONSIDERED.

1. DESIGN GUIDELINES
THE FOLLOWING GENERAL GUIDELINES SHALL BE OBSERVED IN THE DESIGN OF SCHOOL
BUILDINGS:
A. A SCHOOL BUILDING SHALL BE DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS FUNCTIONS, NEEDS OF ITS
USER, AND THE NATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
B. IN VIEW OF SCARCE RESOURCES, A SCHOOL BUILDING SHALL BE CONCEIVED FOR ECONOMY IN
CONSTRUCTION, UTILIZATION AND MAINTENANCE.
C. THE DESIGN APPROACH SHALL BE STRAIGHT FORWARD, RELYING UPON SIMPLICITY OF
CONCEPT IN THE CONTEXT OF INNOVATION TO REFLECT ORDER AND DIGNITY, ENSURE FLEXIBILITY IN
ANTICIPATION OF EDUCATIONAL CHANGE, AND ACHIEVE STRUCTURAL STABILITY.
D. HUMAN DIMENSIONS, STATIC AND DYNAMIC, SPECIFICALLY WITH REFERENCE TO FILIPINO
CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SHALL BE THE BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING SCALE.
E. AESTHETIC ELEMENTS SHALL BE INTEGRAL TO THE OVERALL DESIGN AND EVEN GIVEN
CONTEMPORARY TREATMENT, SHALL DERIVE FROM HISTORICAL, TRADITIONAL OR NATIVE THEMES.
F. THE USE OF INDIGENOUS OR LOCALLY PRODUCED MATERIALS SHALL BE MAXIMIZED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE APPLICATION OF APPROPRIATE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY.
G. PROVISION FOR MOBILITY OF HANDICAPPED/DISABLED PERSONS SHALL BE GIVEN DUE
CONSIDERATION IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND OTHER FACILITIES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 344. (ACCESSIBILITY LAW).
THE FOREGOING GUIDELINES ARE INTENDED TO COMPLEMENT ACCEPTED ARCHITECTURAL AND
ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES,
AND OTHER RELEVANT RULES, REGULATIONS AND ORDINANCE PROMULGATED BY THE NATIONAL AND
LOCAL AGENCIES.
IN DESIGNING SCHOOL BUILDINGS, CONSIDERATION OF ERGONOMICS, ANTHROPOMETRICS,
THERMAL COMFORT, ILLUMINATION, ACOUSTICS AND COLORS, AS MENTIONED IN CHAPTER I IS VERY
SIGNIFICANT.

2. PLACEMENT AND LAYOUT

A SCHOOL BUILDING SHALL BE PROPERLY ORIENTED, I.E. PROPERLY PLACED WITH REGARD TO
AIR CURRENTS, NATURAL LIGHT AND HEAT FROM THE SUN, UTILITY OF THE PLANT AND GROUNDS AND
MOST ADVANTAGEOUS DISPLAY. IT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE HEALTH AND COMFORT OF THE
PUPILS/STUDENTS AND TEACHERS; HENCE, THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SCHOOL PLANT.

3. SCHOOL BUILDING ORIENTATION

ORIENTATION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS LOCATED IN COASTAL AREAS SHOULD CONSIDER THE
DIRECTION OF POSSIBLE STORM SURGE. IMPACT OF STORM SURGE WILL BE LESS IF THE SHORTER SIDE
OF THE BUILDING FACES THE COAST INSTEAD THAN ITS FRONT. (ENGR. RODEL VENERACION, PLAN
PHILIPPINES)

THE PROPER ORIENTATION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS AIMS PRIMARILY TO MINIMIZE DIRECT

SUNLIGHT INSIDE THE CLASSROOM AND TO MAXIMIZE THE ENTRANCE OF BREEZE OR AIR CURRENTS INTO
THEM. THE SOLAR PATH AND THE PREVAILING WINDS ARE THE TWO MAJOR FACTORS TO BE
CONSIDERED IN THE ORIENTATION OF A SCHOOL BUILDING.
THE SOLAR/SUN PATH REFERS TO THE DIRECTION OF THE SUNLIGHT AS THE EARTH ROTATES ON
ITS AXIS WHICH IS USUALLY FROM EAST TO WEST, WITH SOME SLIGHT VARIATION DURING CERTAIN
SEASONS OF THE YEAR, WHICH MAY BE REGARDED AS NEGLIGIBLE.

THE PREVAILING WINDS/BREEZES REFER TO THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE COOLING BREEZES
BLOW. IN THE PHILIPPINES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOT SEASON, PREVAILING BREEZES GENERALLY
HAVE A NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST DIRECTION.

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE TWO FACTORS, THE RECOMMENDABLE ORIENTATION OF A

SCHOOL BUILDING IN THE PHILIPPINES IS A NORTHWEST-WEST TO SOUTHEAST-EAST AXIAL DIRECTION.
IN SPECIAL INSTANCES WHERE THE PATH OF TYPHOONS OCCUR (EAST TO WEST DIRECTION), THE
ONSET OF THE SOUTHEAST/ NORTHEAST MONSOON (AMIHAN-HABAGAT) WINDS SHALL ALSO BE
CONSIDERED.

4. LAYOUT
THE LAYOUT OF SCHOOL BUILDING ON THE SCHOOL SITE REFERS TO THE LOCATION AND
ARRANGEMENT OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENCY AND AESTHETIC
EFFECT. AS A GENERAL RULE, THE DIFFERENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS SHALL BE LAID OUT ACCORDING TO
FUNCTIONAL GROUPING. THE DISTANCES BETWEEN SCHOOL BUILDINGS SHALL BE SUCH THAT:
A. VENTILATION IS NOT OBSTRUCTED;
B. NATURAL ILLUMINATION IS NOT IMPEDED; AND
C. SOUNDS IN ONE BUILDING DO NOT CARRY INTO THE NEXT BUILDING.
D. THE SUGGESTED MINIMUM DISTANCES BETWEEN BUILDINGS ARE:
D.1 EIGHT (8) METERS BETWEEN ONE-STOREY BUILDINGS POSITIONED SIDE BY SIDE;
D.2 TEN (10) METERS BETWEEN TWO-STOREY ACADEMIC BUILDINGS POSITIONED SIDE
BY SIDE;
D.3 TEN (10) METERS BETWEEN NON-ACADEMIC BUILDINGS;
D.4 FOR A MAIN BUILDING FACING THE FRONT GATE, AT LEAST TEN (10) METERS
DISTANCE IS SUGGESTED.
D.5 GREATER DISTANCE THAN THE MINIMUM BETWEEN SCHOOL BUILDINGS IS
DESIRABLE. WIDER DISTANCE BETWEEN BUILDINGS ALLOWS FOR ADEQUATE FREE
SPACE TO BE UTILIZED FOR MANY SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES.
E. THE RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SETBACK OF A SCHOOL FROM THE STREET IS FIVE (5) METERS
TO MINIMIZE INTRUSIVE SOUNDS.
F. THE SCHOOL SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE LAYING-OUT OF SCHOOL
BUILDINGS.

5. BUILDING PLANS
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PLANS FOR THE DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS OF PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
A. STANDARD BUILDING PLAN. THIS IS USUALLY PREPARED BY THE ARCHITECTS AND
ENGINEERS OF THE DEPED AND THE DPWH AND APPROVED FOR GENERAL USE IN ALL SCHOOLS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
B. SPECIAL BUILDING PLAN. THIS IS A PLAN DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR A PARTICULAR
SCHOOL FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE OR BECAUSE OF CERTAIN UNIQUE OR PECULIAR FEATURES OF
THE SCHOOL SITE. A SPECIAL BUILDING PLAN MAY ORIGINATE FROM THE FIELD.

6. BUILDING PLAN REQUIREMENTS

A SCHOOL BUILDING PLAN ORIGINATING FROM THE FIELD, LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND
PRIVATE ENTITIES SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE PFSED-OPS, DEPED FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
A. THE PLAN SHALL BE DRAWN ON TRACING PAPER MEASURING 0.50 X 0.75 METERS,
ACCORDING TO AN APPROPRIATE SCALE, AND SHALL SHOW THE FOLLOWING:
A.1 PERSPECTIVE AND SITE PLAN
A.2 FLOOR PLAN
A.3 FRONT, REAR, RIGHT, AND LEFT ELEVATION
A.4 TWO SECTIONS
A.5 FOUNDATION PLAN
A.6 FLOOR FRAMING (IF ELEVATED)
A.7 ROOF FRAMING PLAN
A.8 CEILING PLAN AND ELECTRICAL LAYOUT
A.9 PLUMBING LAYOUT
A.10 DETAILS
B. THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE PLAN ON TRACING PAPER TOGETHER WITH TWO SETS OF
WHITEPRINT OR BLUEPRINT SHALL BE SUBMITTED.

C. THE ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL PLANS SHALL BE SIGNED BY AN ARCHITECT AND CIVIL
ENGINEER RESPECTIVELY, DULY STAMPED WITH THEIR DRY SEALS ALONG WITH THEIR
REGISTRY NUMBERS, PROFESSIONAL TAX RECEIPTS, AND TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (TIN).
D. THE STRUCTURAL COMPUTATIONS SIGNED BY A REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEER AND STAMPED
WITH HIS DRY SEAL SHALL BE SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH THE PLAN FOR CHECKING. THE
REGISTRY NUMBER, PROFESSIONAL TAX NUMBER, AND TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF THE CIVIL
ENGINEER SHALL BE ALSO INDICATED.
E. THE PLAN SHALL BE SIGNED ALSO BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR CONCERNED AND
RECOMMENDED BY THE SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT AND THE DEPED REGIONAL
DIRECTOR (IN THE CASE OF LOCALLY DESIGNED SCHOOL BUILDING).

7. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
THE FOLLOWING PERTINENT REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED IN THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES SHALL BE CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS:
A. WINDOWS. WINDOW OPENINGS SHALL BE EQUAL TO OR AT LEAST TEN (10) PERCENT OF THE
FLOOR AREA OF THE ROOM, PROVIDED THAT SUCH OPENING SHALL BE NOT LESS THAN ONE
SQUARE METER, EXCEPT THOSE IN TOILETS AND BATHS WHICH SHALL BE NOT LESS THAN ONETWENTIETH OF THE FLOOR AREA OF SUCH ROOMS, OR NOT LESS THAN 240 SQUARE
MILLIMETERS. STEEL CASEMENT FOR WINDOWS USING PLAIN GI SHEETS CAN BE USED TO
RESIST STRONG WIND FROM ENTERING INSIDE THE BUILDING THAT CREATES AN UPLIFT FORCE
THAT BLOW UP ROOFS. GI SHEETS ARE CONNECTED BY RIVETS AND NON-SAG MARINE EPOXY
OVER STEEL WINDOW FRAMES. ALL GLASS WINDOWS EASILY BREAKS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY
TO OCCUPANTS INSIDE WHEN BROKEN BY STRONG WINDS. (ENGR. RODEL VENERACION, PLAN
PHILIPPINES)
B. CEILING HEIGHT. THE CEILING HEIGHT OF ROOMS WITH NATURAL VENTILATION SHALL BE NOT
LESS THAN 2.70 METERS MEASURED FROM THE FLOOR TO THE CEILING; ROOMS PROVIDED WITH
ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION SHALL HAVE CEILING HEIGHTS NOT LESS THAN 2.40 METERS.
C. FLOOR CONSTRUCTION. ALL FLOORS SHALL BE SO FRAMED AND SECURED INTO THE
FRAMEWORK AND SUPPORTING WALLS SO AS TO FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WHOLE
BUILDING; THE TYPE OF FLOOR CONSTRUCTION USED SHALL PROVIDE MEANS TO KEEP THE BEAM
AND GIRDERS FROM LATERAL BUCKLING.
D. ROOF CONSTRUCTION. ALL ROOFS SHALL BE SO FRAMED AND TIED INTO THE FRAMEWORK AND
SUPPORTING WALLS SO AS TO FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WHOLE BUILDING; DARK
STOPS, ROOF DRAINS, FLUSHING, ETC., SHALL BE PROVIDED. PURLINS CAN BE MADE UP OF
ANGLE BARS INSTEAD OF THE CONVENTIONAL C-PURLINS WHERE TEXT SCREWS EASILY
LOOSENED RESULTING IN DETACHMENT OF ROOFS. THE THICKNESS OF THE ANGLE BAR SERVES
AS A KNOT, HOLDING TEXT SCREWS FIRMLY. PURLINS ARE SECURELY WELDED TO STEEL
TRUSSES CREATING A STURDY ROOF FRAMEWORK. (ENGR. RODEL VENERACION, PLAN
PHILIPPINES)
E. EXIT DOORS. AT LEAST TWO (2) EXIT DOORS ARE REQUIRED WHERE THE NUMBER OF ROOM
OCCUPANTS IS OVER 50 IN THE CASE OF CLASSROOMS, CONFERENCE ROOMS, EXHIBIT ROOMS,
GYMNASIA, SCHOOL SHOPS, VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABORATORIES, AND AUDITORIUM; A
DOOR SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 2.10 METERS HIGH AND 900 MILLIMETERS WIDE.
F. DOOR SHUTTERS. DOOR SHUTTERS SHALL BE SWING OUT AND BE CAPABLE OF OPENING AT
LEAST 90 DEGREES SO THAT THE CLEAR WIDTH OF THE EXIT WAY IS NOT LESS THAN 700
MILLIMETERS. NO DOOR SHUTTER SHALL EXCEED 1.20 METERS IN WIDTH.
G. CORRIDORS. EVERY CORRIDOR SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 1.10 METERS WIDE AND SHALL BE
UNOBSTRUCTED.
H. STAIRWAYS. STAIRWAYS SERVING AN OCCUPANT LOAD OF 50 OR LESS MUST BE 1.10
METERS WIDE; THOSE SERVING MORE THAN 50 SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 1.50 METERS. THE
RISE OF EVERY STEP SHALL NOT EXCEED 200 MILLIMETERS AND THE TREAD SHALL NOT BE
LESS THAN 250 MILLIMETERS. HANDRAILS SHALL BE PROVIDED ON EACH SIDE OF EVERY
STAIRWAY HAVING MORE THAN FOUR STEPS.