DepEd ready for projected 27.6 million enrollees

DepEd is implementing urgent and concrete measures to strengthen the country's public education system.

- 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, alongside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will lead the ceremonial opening of classes at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Singalong, Manila.

Data from Dennis E. Legaspi, Chief of Media Relations at the Office of the Secretary, showed the projected enrollment breakdown: 15.42 million in elementary, 8.01 million in junior high school (Grades 7 to 10), and 4.17 million in senior high school (Grades 11 and 12).

Assistance desks

PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said more than 5,000 police assistance desks will be set up near school premises and will be manned by 10,759 policemen who were tasked to immediately respond to the calls for assistance of students, teachers and parents.

Torre said there are 38,292 public and 7,682 private institutions that will be secured nationwide.

He said a total of 10,687 officers will be assigned to mobile patrols and 16,366 to foot patrols to ensure 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," said Torre.

"Our Oplan Balik-Eskwela is not just a deployment plan—it is our expression of commitment to nurture an environment where learning can thrive peacefully. We will continue to stand guard for the Filipino youth, rain or shine," he added.

Based on the PNP data, Central Visayas has the highest deployment with 7,366 personnel; followed by Bicol Region with 2,962; and Eastern Visayas with 2,376.

In Mindanao, almost 3,000 policemen will be deployed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region across 657 schools.