The Philippine Department of Education anticipates between 26 and 28 million students in the upcoming school year, with plans to address classroom and staffing needs amid urban density challenges.
The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines expects student enrollment for the School Year (SY) 2026-2027, beginning June 8, to reach between 26 million and 28 million students. Assistant Secretary Jocelyn Andaya stated on Saturday in an interview that the department has over one million teaching and non-teaching personnel in public elementary and secondary schools to manage this projected number. While an ideal scenario reveals some staffing shortages, there are schools with more teachers than needed, balancing the overall situation.
DepEd estimates the student-to-teacher ratio at 35:1 in lower grade levels and 45:1 in higher levels, although urban areas, particularly the National Capital Region, may experience higher ratios of 50:1 to 55:1. A classroom backlog of approximately 136,000 remains a challenge. To address this, DepEd is accelerating classroom construction through public-private partnerships, cooperation with local government units, and the Adopt-a-School initiative. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expected to complete over 9,000 classrooms in the current year, handling both new projects and previously delayed constructions.
Regarding learning materials, DepEd will continue using textbooks delivered in the previous year while expediting the procurement and distribution of new textbooks, scheduled for July delivery. In the meantime, supplementary materials and lesson activity sheets are provided to support students who have not yet received updated books.
This projection and action plan reflect DepEd’s commitment to accommodating growing enrollment trends while navigating infrastructure and educational resource challenges, particularly in densely populated urban centers.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/989586/deped-expects-enrollment-to-reach-28-million-for-sy-2026-2027/story/
