Sophia Buenavidez 

At least 27 million students are expected to return to public and private schools on June 16 for the academic year 2025–2026, slightly higher than last year’s enrollment, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Photo Courtesy of Philippine News Agency.

With nationwide preparations ongoing, DepEd starts its annual Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) from June 9 to 13.

DepEd said it is working to address infrastructure gaps, particularly damaged furniture and the lack of classrooms nationwide.

According to Andaya, Education Secretary Sonny Angara is launching an initiative to construct 105,000 new classrooms through partnerships with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

DepEd will also be hiring 20,000 teachers for new teaching positions this school year to reduce the teacher shortage rate by up to 65 percent.

Andaya also reminded the public of the existing protocols on class suspensions due to the rainy season.

“We have a DepEd order that the suspension should be done as early as 4 a.m., and others are already conducting an announcement the night before,” she said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo emphasized on June 6 that security preparations are in place with more than 37,000 officers across the country, on June 16.

This is part of the intensified response strategy after the directive of newly appointed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who recently implemented a five-minute response policy for all police units in responding to crimes and emergencies.