Marcos opens SY 2025–2026, pushes reforms to improve learning, teaching

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. officially opened School Year 2025–2026 on Monday at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School (EDSES) in Malate, Manila, as the Department of Education (DepEd) emphasized ongoing reforms to enhance the quality of education and improve conditions for both learners and teachers.

During a virtual interaction with principals from across the country, Marcos assured the education sector of the full support of the national government.

“Ang buong pamahalaan—lalo na sa edukasyon—lahat ng mga departamento, mula DOH, DSWD, DTI, DOTr, PNP, DICT, hanggang sa Office of the President—ay nakabantay sa inyong lahat para tiyakin na lahat ng mga pangangailangan, lalong-lalo na ng mga kabataan, ay mapaabot namin,” the President said.

(The whole government, in particular to the DepEd, all government agencies from the DOH, DSWD, DTI, DOTr, PNP, DICT up to the Office of the President, will be watching over you to ensure that all your needs, especially those of the students, will be delivered.) 

The Education Department, under Marcos’ directive, has implemented several key reforms this school year. These include a simplified and more affordable enrollment process, mandatory health assessments for students, early delivery of digital learning tools such as laptops and smart TVs, additional teaching and medical allowances, hiring of new teaching and non-teaching staff, and workload rationalization for teachers.

DepEd is also set to pilot a strengthened senior high school curriculum aimed at improving students’ readiness for college and employment.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said the reforms are already making an impact.

“Malaking pasasalamat natin kay Pangulong Marcos sa mga repormang agad niyang itinulak para sa edukasyon. Mas mararamdaman ito ng ating mga guro at mag-aaral ngayong balik-eskwela,” Angara said. “Kasama na d’yan ang dagdag-suporta, kagamitan, at mga polisiyang nagpapagaan sa araw-araw nilang karanasan sa paaralan.” 

(We are grateful to President Marcos ... for the educational reforms he pushed. The teachers and students would feel the effects this school year. That includes the additional support, equipment and the policies aimed at easing the burden in their daily school experiences.)

During his visit, Marcos toured the EDSES campus, observed a Grade 1 class, received a safety briefing, and interacted virtually with schools from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. The visit underscored the government’s push to ensure schools are safe, well-equipped, and ready for the return of more than 27 million learners across the country.

The return to a June school opening also marked a significant shift following adjustments made during the pandemic. The move comes after consultations with teachers, parents, and students who had called for a calendar that avoids peak weather disruptions and ensures academic continuity.

DepEd said the opening of classes went smoothly following weeks of nationwide preparations through Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela, with strong support from national and local agencies. As of June 14, the Oplan Balik Eskwela Public Assistance Command Center had resolved 1,406 of 1,690 concerns raised by the public.

The department also noted that it will continue to monitor class openings through its field offices and command centers and remains committed to improving the delivery and quality of basic education for all Filipino learners. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News