Manila Times
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Monday, May 25, 2026
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Philippines Prepares for New School Year Amidst Enrollment and Security Initiatives
The Department of Education projects enrollment of 27 million students as schools reopen across the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines — Public schools across the Philippines are set to officially reopen on Monday, June 16, 2025, with an enrollment projection of approximately 27 million students, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
The opening is marked by school improvements undertaken during the 'Brigada Eskwela,' involving teachers, parents, and students who collaborated to clean classrooms in preparation for the academic year.
Secretary Angara emphasized that the reopening plans are comprehensive and ready.
In conjunction with the first day of school, Angara, along with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is scheduled to visit Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila at 9:00 a.m. to assess the situation firsthand.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has streamlined enrollment procedures this year.
New policy measures allow parents to submit their children’s birth certificates only once while enrolling in the K-12 education system.
This simplification aims to alleviate the challenges faced by parents regarding extensive paperwork and recurrent document submission.
“Parents have expressed that enrollment can be daunting due to paperwork and missing records,” stated Angara.
“This new policy will help reduce expenses and hassle, easing the financial burden on families and making the enrollment process more efficient.”
In anticipation of the first day of classes, the Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed 37,740 officers nationwide to ensure the safety of students and faculty returning to schools.
PNP Chief P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III noted that the police force is coordinating with DepEd, local government units, and other agencies to maintain peace and order in 45,974 public and private schools across the country.
“The safety of students, teachers, and school staff is our top priority,” Torre remarked.
Additionally, the deployment of 5,079 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) near school premises aims to enhance police visibility and accessibility for families.
Of the personnel assigned, 10,759 officers will provide assistance at these desks, while 10,687 will be involved in mobile patrols, and 16,366 will conduct foot patrols.
The PNP has issued warnings to drug dealers and criminal elements against targeting students, reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding the youth from recruitment by militant organizations.
Amid these developments, the ACT Teachers Party-list has committed to proposing legislation in the 20th Congress aimed at addressing emerging issues in the education sector.
Representative France Castro indicated that the proposed measures will be developed based on challenges identified during the school opening.
The organization has plans to consult with school administrators and teachers across several schools in Quezon City today, addressing ongoing problems such as overcrowded classrooms, classroom shortages, and the implementation of blended learning strategies.
The opening is marked by school improvements undertaken during the 'Brigada Eskwela,' involving teachers, parents, and students who collaborated to clean classrooms in preparation for the academic year.
Secretary Angara emphasized that the reopening plans are comprehensive and ready.
In conjunction with the first day of school, Angara, along with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is scheduled to visit Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila at 9:00 a.m. to assess the situation firsthand.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has streamlined enrollment procedures this year.
New policy measures allow parents to submit their children’s birth certificates only once while enrolling in the K-12 education system.
This simplification aims to alleviate the challenges faced by parents regarding extensive paperwork and recurrent document submission.
“Parents have expressed that enrollment can be daunting due to paperwork and missing records,” stated Angara.
“This new policy will help reduce expenses and hassle, easing the financial burden on families and making the enrollment process more efficient.”
In anticipation of the first day of classes, the Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed 37,740 officers nationwide to ensure the safety of students and faculty returning to schools.
PNP Chief P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III noted that the police force is coordinating with DepEd, local government units, and other agencies to maintain peace and order in 45,974 public and private schools across the country.
“The safety of students, teachers, and school staff is our top priority,” Torre remarked.
Additionally, the deployment of 5,079 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) near school premises aims to enhance police visibility and accessibility for families.
Of the personnel assigned, 10,759 officers will provide assistance at these desks, while 10,687 will be involved in mobile patrols, and 16,366 will conduct foot patrols.
The PNP has issued warnings to drug dealers and criminal elements against targeting students, reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding the youth from recruitment by militant organizations.
Amid these developments, the ACT Teachers Party-list has committed to proposing legislation in the 20th Congress aimed at addressing emerging issues in the education sector.
Representative France Castro indicated that the proposed measures will be developed based on challenges identified during the school opening.
The organization has plans to consult with school administrators and teachers across several schools in Quezon City today, addressing ongoing problems such as overcrowded classrooms, classroom shortages, and the implementation of blended learning strategies.
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