Around 26 million learners return to classrooms as School Year 2026-2027 opens

Millions of students across the country returned to school on Monday as the Department of Education (DepEd) officially opened School Year 2026–2027, marking the start of another academic year amid continuing efforts to improve learning outcomes and address long-standing challenges in the education sector.

DepEd expects around 26 million learners to enroll in public and private schools nationwide for the new school year.

Education officials said schools have been preparing for the reopening through classroom readiness activities, teacher deployment, learning material distribution, and coordination with local government units to ensure a smooth start to classes.

The opening of classes also comes as the government continues to push programs aimed at addressing learning gaps that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the past several years, DepEd has identified literacy and numeracy improvement as among its key priorities, alongside efforts to strengthen foundational learning and provide additional support to struggling learners through various intervention programs.

While education officials expressed confidence in the overall readiness of schools, concerns remain over classroom shortages, teacher workload, and overcrowding in some urban areas.

Several schools are expected to continue implementing shifting schedules and other measures to accommodate growing student populations while awaiting additional classrooms and school facilities.

Meanwhile, government agencies have also rolled out measures to help students and parents on the first day of classes.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier released its school supplies price guide to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions, while transport and traffic authorities deployed personnel in areas expected to experience heavy congestion due to the reopening of schools.

Local government units likewise coordinated with school officials on safety, traffic management, and emergency response measures, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and other weather-related disruptions during the rainy season.

DepEd is expected to closely monitor the opening week of classes and address issues that may arise as schools resume full operations nationwide.

Further enrollment figures and reports from schools across the country are expected to be released in the coming days. —RF, GMA News