The Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded nearly 26 million enrolled learners for School Year 2026–2027 and expects the number to increase further as classes officially begin on June 8.
Speaking in a radio interview on Sunday, DepEd Assistant Secretary Jocelyn Andaya said enrollment figures remain on track to match last year’s total.
“As of Friday last week, we have close to 26 million learners who have already enrolled,” Andaya said. “Alam naming mayroon pa ring mag-e-enroll ngayong pasukan hanggang sa katapusan ng Hunyo.”
According to Andaya, the department is projecting around 26.4 million students for the new academic year, a figure comparable to enrollment levels recorded in the previous school year.
She explained that some learners, particularly those in senior high school, were unable to complete enrollment before the opening of classes due to work commitments or because they were still returning from their home provinces.
Amid circulating reports about a possible postponement of classes, Andaya emphasized that the school opening will proceed as scheduled.
“Fake news ‘yan (class suspension). Sabi nga ni DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, ‘Handang-handa na tayo sa DepEd para i-welcome ang bata at sabihin sa kanila na ang kanilang eskwelahan ay handa na, ito ay malinis, ito ay maayos, at ligtas sila dito,’” Andaya said. “Tuloy na tuloy na sa June ang pasukan.”
To ensure schools are prepared for the opening of classes, DepEd has rolled out a nationwide readiness monitoring system through the “Project HANDA” platform. The initiative is designed to identify deficiencies in school infrastructure, sanitation facilities, technology resources, and learning materials across public schools.
The platform will track indicators related to school facilities, learner support services, and instructional readiness, enabling education officials to determine where interventions and resources are most urgently needed.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the project aims to strengthen data-driven decision-making and improve preparations for the incoming school year.
Meanwhile, DepEd has also issued updated guidelines on class suspensions and learning continuity during emergencies.
Under DepEd Order No. 14, Series of 2026, school heads are authorized to coordinate with Schools Division Superintendents and local government units in implementing localized or granular class suspensions based on actual conditions in affected communities.
The policy seeks to ensure that disruptions are limited only to affected classrooms, grade levels, or schools whenever possible, instead of imposing wider suspensions across an entire division.
At the same time, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced the deployment of more than 55,000 personnel under its Oplan Balik-Eskwela program to help maintain safety and order during the opening of classes for School Year 2026–2027.
The deployment includes 28,751 police officers, 4,079 personnel from other units, and 22,677 force multipliers from partner agencies and community organizations, according to the PNP.