Schools across the Philippines officially opened School Year 2026–2027 on Monday, June 8, as the Department of Education (DepEd) implemented a new three-term academic calendar and other policy reforms.
DepEd expects around 26 million learners to enroll in public and private schools nationwide for the new school year.
The department said the reforms and support measures are expected to benefit more than 26 million students, over 45,000 schools, and nearly 900,000 teachers across the country.
Education officials said schools had spent the weeks leading up to the reopening preparing classrooms, deploying teachers, distributing learning materials, and coordinating with local government units to ensure a smooth start to classes.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara recently issued guidelines covering the implementation of the three-term school calendar, learning continuity during emergencies, revised lesson planning and learning design, updated assessment and grading policies, and the nationwide rollout of the strengthened Senior High School curriculum.
According to Angara, the reforms are designed to help schools focus on their primary mission of improving student learning while providing clearer support systems for teachers.
“Mas titiyakin natin na maayos ang pagkatuto ng mga bata at mas suportado ang ating mga guro. Ginawa natin ang mga repormang ito upang gawing mas malinaw ang sistema, mas epektibo ang pagtuturo, at mas nakatuon sa pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral,” Angara said.
Meanwhile, schools across the country faced enrollment-related concerns on the first day of classes.
At Nagpayong Elementary School in Pasig City, one of the largest elementary schools in the country, administrators tightened enrollment procedures as classes began.
PINAKAMALAKING ELEMENTARYA
— Edniel Parrosa (@ednielparrosa) June 7, 2026
Nasa 11,400 na mag-aaral ang nagpatala sa Nagpayong Elementary School sa Pasig City ngayong SY 2026-27—pinakamarami sa bansa.
Ayon kay Principal Jo Macawile, handa sila sa three-term school calendar sa kabila ng malaking populasyon. @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/wfGZxs8XD8
At President Corazon C. Aquino High School in Baseco Compound, Port Area, Manila, several transferee students discovered that their names were not included on the school's official class lists on the opening day of classes.
Principal IV Reynora V. Laurenciano said students whose names were not listed were mostly transferees from the provinces or late enrollees who had recently been assigned to the school.
She advised affected students to report to the department head or curriculum chairperson of their respective grade levels for verification and section assignment.
LOOK: Pangalan ng ilang transferee students wala sa listahan ng President Corazon C. Aquino High School sa Baseco Compound Port Area Maynila.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 7, 2026
Ayon kay Principal IV Reynora V. Laurenciano, kadalasan sa mga wala sa listahan ay mga estudyanteng galing probinsya o late enrollees at… pic.twitter.com/GbspDdJpON
The reopening of classes was also marked by protests from education groups.
Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) staged a sunrise protest in Mendiola, Manila, on the first day of classes, calling on the government to increase teachers’ salaries.
The group reiterated its demand for a P50,000 entry-level monthly salary for public school teachers, saying higher wages are needed to address the growing challenges faced by educators and to improve the quality of education in the country.
WATCH: Alliances of Concerned Teachers (ACT) nagkasa ng sunrise protest sa Mendiola, Maynila ngayong unang araw ng eskwela, taas-sahod ipinanawagan | RH 9 @NolascoAgustina, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/Z8FTmnG6XF
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 7, 2026
Despite concerns and demonstrations, education authorities expressed confidence that schools nationwide are prepared to welcome millions of students as the new academic year begins under the revised education framework.
