27M students expected as classes open

Back to School 27M Students Expected as Classes Open Amid Classroom Shortage

As millions of students across the Philippines prepare to return to school today, June 16, educators are optimistic that this year will be a productive one despite some challenges. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), approximately 27 million students are expected to report for classes, with public schools being the primary focus.

Preparations Underway

In preparation for the new academic year, DepEd Spokesman Dennis Legaspi reports that all systems are go for today's school opening, with no major challenges anticipated. However, he notes that there is a nationwide classroom shortage of around 165,000 classrooms. To address this issue, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has announced plans to build 105,000 new classrooms through public-private partnerships.

Fire Hits San Francisco High School

In a separate incident, a fire broke out at the San Francisco High School in Quezon City yesterday, affecting eight classrooms that housed grades 9 and 10. While classes will proceed as usual, displaced students will temporarily be accommodated in the Pagcor building, with senior high school shifting to a two-shift schedule.

Safety Measures in Place

To ensure student safety, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has sent teams from the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works (DSQC) to assist with cleanup efforts. Engineering teams have also been dispatched to assess the damage and fast-track the rehabilitation of the affected building.

School Year Calendar

The school year will run until March 31, 2026, consisting of 197 class days inclusive of the End-of-School-Year Rites. Any changes to the school calendar due to unforeseen circumstances will be announced subsequently.

Private Schools Set Own Schedule

Meanwhile, private schools have been given the freedom to set their own schedule for the start of classes. Additionally, at least 5,000 police officers are deployed across Metro Manila today to ensure student safety.

Intensified Police Visibility

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has directed police commanders to intensify police visibility during school opening day. Highway Patrol Group will patrol roads and secure parents, students, and school personnel. Officers have been instructed to closely monitor students and prevent them from leaving school until their parents or authorized guardians arrive.

Looking Ahead

As the new academic year begins, educators are optimistic that the additional classrooms and safety measures will help create a productive learning environment for all 27 million students expected to report back to school. With the right support and resources, these young minds can continue to grow and thrive, paving the way for their future success.

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Keywords DepEd, Education, School Opening, Classroom Shortage, Public-Private Partnerships, Safety Measures

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.