Around 27 million students are expected to start the new school year today, and the Department of Education (DepEd) has spared no effort to ensure the trouble-free opening of classes, Secretary Sonny Angara said yesterday.
“We’re just going to welcome the students, [and] hopefully they’re excited to learn. We’re going to be monitoring them,” the education secretary noted.
“For the first time, classes are starting again in June. We saw how hard it is when school starts too late, that’s why President Marcos ordered that on June 16th, schools are to be opened. He’ll also be with us as we monitor the opening of classes,” he added.
The department earlier announced that it has procured around 33,000 laptops for teachers, 5,000 laptops for non-teaching staff, and 26,000 smart TV units.
This was done as part of DepEd’s Early Procurement Activities (EPA) in response to Mr. Marcos’ call for a future-ready education system.
However, Angara explained that the administration’s vision for the education sector faces various challenges, not the least of which is the need for more funding.
“First, the budget we’re given. Second, because typhoons are getting stronger, more [classrooms] are being ruined. Third, classrooms are aging or getting old. Then, fourth, the continued growth of our population,” he said in the radio interview.
Angara’s apprehensions are shared by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Party-list group.
ACT Representative-elect Antonio Tinio highlighted the need for additional budget allocation for the education sector.
“This crisis will only worsen unless Congress acts decisively. The current budget is not enough to cover the basic needs. We need to double it if we want to reverse the learning deficit,” he said.
Tinio pointed out that students around the country still need 150,000 additional teachers, 56,000 additional non-teaching staff, and 165,000 new classrooms.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized 37,740 officers across the country to ensure the safety of students and faculty on the first day of classes.
In a statement on Sunday, PNP Chief, General Nicolas Torre III said he wants to ensure that “children return to school without fear or harm.”
“Oplan Balik-Eskwela is not just a deployment plan—it is our expression of commitment to nurture an environment where learning can thrive peacefully. We will continue to stand guard for the Filipino youth, rain or shine,” he stressed.
Some 37,740 police personnel will be assigned to secure 45,974 schools nationwide, including both public and private schools.
Torre said that 5,079 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) will be set up near school areas, manned by 10,759 personnel.
Another 10,687 officers will be assigned to mobile patrols while 16,366 will conduct foot patrols in key areas.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “DepEd all set for school year 2025-2026”
