The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Sunday that everything is in place for the return of approximately 27 million students to schools on Monday, June 16. “All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase bukas (All systems go, everything for the opening of our classes tomorrow),” said DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi in a Viber message to reporters.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to visit Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila, accompanied by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara. Angara will also visit Tenement Elementary School in Taguig, as well as one school each in Biñan and City of Santa Rosa, both located in Laguna provinces.
Under Angara’s leadership, the DepEd has reverted to the original June to March school calendar, following Marcos’ directive aimed at preventing learning loss due to successive missed school days caused by various weather disturbances.
In preparation for the school year, the DepEd has delivered 33,539 laptops for teachers and 5,360 for non-teaching staff as part of its computerization program. Additionally, nearly 26,000 smart TV packages with external hard drives have been purchased to enhance learning delivery outcomes.
Regarding textbook distribution, procurement for Grades 1, 4, and 7 books is at a 99 percent completion level, while books for Grades 2, 5, and 8 are nearly halfway procured. Procurement for the remaining grade levels is scheduled to begin next year.
Oplan ‘Balik-Eskwela’
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured that 37,740 police officers will be deployed to secure both public and private schools under its “Oplan Balik-Eskwela” (Back to School) initiative. Torre stated that 5,079 Police Assistance Desks near school premises will be staffed by 10,759 officers to assist students, parents, and staff.
Additionally, 10,687 officers will be assigned to mobile patrols, while 16,366 will conduct foot patrols, ensuring heightened police visibility in high-density areas and identified critical zones. “The safety of our students, teachers, and school staff remains our utmost priority. We want to ensure that our children return to school without fear or harm. Our police officers will be in every possible area to provide protection, guidance, and support,” Torre emphasized in a news release.
He assured the public of the PNP’s readiness and full coordination with the DepEd, local government units, and other partner agencies. Torre also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or safety concerns to the nearest police station or via the PNP’s 24/7 hotlines.
As part of pre-opening preparations, PNP personnel actively participated in the annual voluntary effort “Brigada Eskwela,” assisting in the cleaning, repair, and repainting of classrooms and school grounds.