Classes for School Year 2025-2026 commenced on June 16, 2025, across the Philippines, with the Department of Education (DepEd) estimating around 27 million students returning to school.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III emphasized measures to ensure student safety amid heightened concerns from parents regarding bullying, theft, and other crimes as students return to school.

Torre reported the deployment of approximately 37,000 police officers nationwide to provide security within and around educational institutions.

Furthermore, the PNP has set up emergency hotlines and assistance desks for students and parents to report incidents of bullying or other crimes.

Despite these security efforts, many schools faced challenges related to infrastructure and safety.

For instance, at San Francisco High School in Quezon City, classes began in makeshift spaces after a fire damaged one of their buildings, relocating around 640 students to the school’s covered court.

The affected students met with teachers for a brief orientation on health protocols related to ongoing concerns about air quality.

Simultaneously, schools like Malabon Elementary School dealt with flooding issues following heavy rains and high tides just before the start of the school year.

Principal Rosela Abude noted that while the grounds were inundated, the classrooms remained unaffected and safe pathways were created for students.

The school is expecting over 3,200 students this year while remaining open for late enrollees.

In Iloilo City, classes commenced early in the morning to accommodate approximately 6,300 students amid health safety protocols, including handwashing stations to address potential health concerns.

Police presence across Western Visayas has been heightened to maintain order as students return to campuses.

In General Santos City, late enrollment assistance areas were established at Lagao National High School for students unable to register on time.

As of mid-June, approximately 132,979 students were enrolled in General Santos public and private schools, a decrease from the previous year.

In tandem with school resumption, several teachers' groups staged protests highlighting systemic issues in the education sector, including classroom shortages, a lack of teaching personnel, and inadequate funding.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) raised alarms about a nationwide shortage of 165,000 classrooms and called for government action to address the longstanding crises impacting education quality.

Cebu City schools implemented shifting schedules in response to the national classroom deficit, with officials reporting initial enrollment figures while anticipating a rise as late enrollees register.

Authorities described the first day of classes in Cebu as peaceful, with security successfully maintained around schools.

Educational officials urged students to foster positive relationships in response to bullying, emphasizing safety and well-being as students embraced the new academic year, set to conclude on March 31, 2026.