ILOILO City — The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 is preparing for the return of nearly one million learners for School Year 2026-2027, with enrollment, Brigada Eskwela, classroom preparations, and contingency measures for extreme heat already in motion ahead of the June 8 opening of classes.
Enrollment for the new school year will run from June 1 to June 5, 2026, in line with Department Order No. 9, series of 2026, according to DepEd-6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr.
“Meanwhile, the school opening is scheduled on June 8, 2026,” Escullar told Panay News in an interview.
DepEd-6 projects a total enrollment of 972,113 learners across Western Visayas from public and private schools, including senior high school programs in state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges.
Among the projected enrollment figures, Iloilo province is expected to post the highest number with 404,256 learners, followed by Antique with 136,556, Capiz with 125,419, Aklan with 121,416, Iloilo City with 90,992, Guimaras with 39,289, Roxas City with 32,314, and Passi City with 21,871.
These figures demonstrate a strong commitment from families to prioritize education despite existing challenges, said Escullar.
Simultaneously, Brigada Eskwela will also be conducted from June 1 to June 5 to prepare schools for reopening through community-driven clean-up, repair, and maintenance activities.
The regional kickoff program is set on June 3 at Maayon National High School in Capiz under the theme “Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkakaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman.”
Activities lined up include school cleaning initiatives, classroom preparation, repair and maintenance of facilities, literacy-related programs, and volunteer-driven resource mobilization efforts.
“The program also highlights the collaborative efforts of teachers, parents, learners, local government units, and community stakeholders in ensuring schools are ready for the opening of classes,” Escullar added.
DepEd-6 also acknowledged the challenges posed by rising temperatures and extreme heat conditions, saying schools remain prepared to suspend face-to-face classes and shift to Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) if necessary.
“DepEd Region 6 is still waiting for updated guidelines for the school year, but still like with the previous year, the local government unit or school head can still suspended in-person class in extreme cases and will immediately shift to ADM,” Escullar said.
On classroom readiness, DepEd-6 said instructional materials such as Learner Activity Sheets and modules have already been allocated to schools, while classroom and facility requirements were submitted to the Central Office through the Education Facilities Division masterplan.
“As to facilities, our classroom needs were all reported to Central Office through the Masterplan of the Education Facilities Division,” Escullar said.
DepEd also reminded parents that enrollment in public schools remains free and announced the activation of Oplan Balik Eskwela Help Desks in all schools to address concerns and complaints from stakeholders.
“DepEd reminds everyone to have their child enrolled. Enrollment in public schools is free. We will also be activating Oplan Balik Eskwela Help Desks in all schools to ensure that stakeholders will have an avenue to air out their concerns, complaints, and suggestions,” Escullar emphasized./PN
