DepEd says it's implementing Marcos' SONA directives on teachers, classrooms, SHS

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday said it is implementing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s education priorities outlined in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), including measures on teacher welfare, classroom construction, learner safety, and senior high school (SHS) reform.

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department is carrying out the President’s directives through ongoing education programs and reforms.

Among these are the promotion of around 82,000 teachers and school heads under the Expanded Career Progression System since 2025 and the planned hiring of 32,916 teachers and 32,268 non-teaching personnel for fiscal year 2026.

The non-teaching positions include 10,000 School Counselor Associates, 11,268 Administrative Officer II posts, 5,000 Project Development Officers, and 6,000 School Principal I positions, which DepEd said are intended to help reduce teachers’ administrative workload and strengthen school operations.

The department also said it is digitizing 10 school forms in partnership with UNICEF to streamline documentation and reporting.

For infrastructure, DepEd said 21,441 classrooms have been completed through the Basic Educational Facilities Fund, including 411 classrooms in Last Mile Schools. It added that more than 12,000 classrooms are being coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units, while another 16,000 classrooms in Luzon are set to be built through public-private partnerships.

On senior high school education, DepEd said it is rolling out the Strengthened Senior High School Program nationwide for School Year 2026–2027 to improve work immersion, industry exposure, and career guidance.

The department said it is implementing the program in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, and industry partners to better prepare graduates for higher education, employment, skills training, or entrepreneurship.

DepEd also cited ongoing learner welfare initiatives, including the implementation of its Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment, expanded school feeding services covering 4.6 million learners, and the hiring of school counselor associates to strengthen mental health support.

The department likewise said more than 1.8 million Filipinos have participated in its AI Ready ASEAN Philippines program, including learners, teachers, and parents.

Angara said DepEd would continue implementing the President’s directives across the basic education sector. — BM, GMA News