I love Education

Did you know that the number of schools a division office oversees can affect everything from teacher support to student outcomes? With over 200 School Division Offices (SDOs) in the Philippines, the distribution of these offices and the resources they provide isn’t always as fair as we might think. A recent review of Republic Act 9155 highlights how discrepancies in school supervision could be holding back the country’s education system. In this post, let’s break down why this law may need an update to address these issues more effectively. The Unequal Distribution of School Division Offices Imagine this: in one part of the Philippines, a single school division office manages 1,300 schools, while another only supervises 28. These disparities have a real impact on the quality of education, making it clear that the current distribution of School Division Offices (SDOs) under Republic Act 9155 isn’t as equitable as it should be. In 2001, Republic Act 9155 (the Governance of Basic Educ...

Education in the Philippines is built on a unique partnership between two major agencies — the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) . Each plays a distinct but complementary role in guiding Filipino learners from the early years of schooling all the way to advanced university studies. While these two institutions often get mentioned together, their responsibilities differ significantly. Knowing where one ends and the other begins helps parents, students, and educators understand how the system truly works — and why it’s designed that way. What DepEd Does: Building the Foundation The Department of Education (DepEd) handles basic education , which includes kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and senior high school. Its mission is simple yet powerful — to “protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education.” DepEd ensures that learning is accessible to all, whether through ...

I still remember sitting in class one rainy morning when the downpour suddenly turned into a flood. Within an hour, our classroom became a temporary shelter, desks floating, notebooks soaked. That was the day I realized something heartbreaking — when disasters strike, learning often takes a back seat. But what if it didn’t have to? That’s exactly the vision behind the Department of Education’s (DepEd) new PHP1.35 billion initiative — a plan designed to keep learning alive, even when the storms won’t stop coming. A Billion-Peso Promise for Learning Continuity In a statement released Friday, DepEd announced a PHP1.35 billion allocation to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure learning never halts, no matter the calamity. The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard learners and teachers while maintaining quality education nationwide . Education Secretary Sonny Angara summed it up beautifully: “Education must be the last to stop ...

☕ When the Classroom Lights Go Off for a While I’ll admit it — as a teacher, there were days when my brain felt like a chalkboard that’s been erased one too many times. When I heard about DepEd’s mid-school year wellness break , my first reaction was, “Finally, someone gets it.” We’re not machines. Between checking quizzes, chasing deadlines, and surviving storms (literally and figuratively), our minds need a reset. And for once, the Department of Education seems to be saying the same thing: rest is part of the job. 🌤 Why DepEd Declared the Wellness Break The Department of Education (DepEd) officially announced that from October 27 to 30, 2025 , all public schools nationwide will observe a mid-school year wellness break for both teachers and students . According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara , the decision was made to allow recovery time after recent natural disasters and a rise in flu cases. This move also reflects President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritiz...

What happens if a teacher doesn’t meet all the performance requirements but still dreams of moving up the career ladder? That’s where the teacher promotion guidelines step in. These rules are designed to balance high standards with fairness, giving educators a chance to grow even if their performance record isn’t spotless. Understanding the Teacher Promotion Guidelines The updated policy introduces a three-year transition period where teachers can still be considered for promotion, even if they fall short in some areas of their performance evaluation. This is a big deal because it recognizes that teaching is complex, and not every year will be perfect. Here’s how it works: Outstanding Performance – Teachers with an overall Very Satisfactory or higher rating, plus consistently strong marks in all PPST (Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers) indicators, may still qualify for promotion even if they’re reclassified into a different position. Very Satisfactory Performance – Ed...

Teaching isn’t just about standing in front of a classroom—it’s about building a system that supports both educators and students. That’s where the Modified Staffing Standards for Master Teacher come in. These guidelines shape how schools decide when and how to allocate Master Teacher positions, ensuring that experience and specialization are recognized fairly. What Are the Modified Staffing Standards for Master Teacher? At its core, this policy sets the ratio for assigning Master Teacher positions in schools. According to the rules, one Master Teacher slot can be created for every three or five teachers in the same subject area, learning area, or track at the secondary level. This means schools don’t just randomly assign the role—it’s based on actual teaching needs and the number of educators in a given subject. Key Points You Should Know Here’s a breakdown of the most important details: Teacher-to-Master Teacher Ratio : For every 3 or 5 teachers in the same subject, one Master Teac...

Ever wondered how Philippine schools are legally required to stop bullying—and what counts as bullying under the law? The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act lay out where bullying is prohibited, what behaviors qualify, and what schools must do when incidents happen. The Anti-Bullying Act IRR Philippines guides school staff, students, and parents on preventing and responding to harmful behavior in and around schools. What the IRR Covers: Scope and Key Places Where Bullying Is Prohibited The IRR applies to all public and private kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools and learning centers. It defines where bullying is prohibited so everyone understands the boundaries of responsibility. On school grounds. On property immediately adjacent to school grounds up to two kilometers from the school. During school-sponsored or school-related activities, on or off school grounds. At school bus stops and on school buses or other vehicles owned, leased, or used...

Ever wondered how some schools in the Philippines get recognized as international institutions? I recently stumbled upon Republic Act No. 11638 , and it turns out, this law shines a spotlight on CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. as an official international school. The story behind it is both fascinating and important for anyone curious about education and global standards. What Is RA 11638 All About? RA 11638 is a special law that recognizes CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. as an educational institution of international character . This means the school isn’t just another private institution—it has been granted rights and responsibilities that allow it to function at par with international standards. The law was approved on December 10, 2021 , and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) took effect on August 19, 2024 , after publication in the Official Gazette. From then on, CCF Life Academy officially joined the ranks of globally recognized schools in the Philippines. Quic...

In an era where learning gaps have widened due to the pandemic and systemic challenges, the Philippine government has launched a game-changing initiative: the ARAL Program . But beyond DepEd’s visible role in this academic recovery strategy , the heart of its strength lies in a quiet but powerful truth — the synergy among implementing agencies . This post looks at RULE VIII of the ARAL Program Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) from a fresh, systems-thinking perspective, underscoring how inter-agency collaboration is essential in shaping the program’s success. 🏫 DepEd as the Lead, Not the Lone Actor 🔑 While the Department of Education (DepEd) is the designated lead agency of the ARAL Program, it doesn't operate in isolation. According to the IRR of the ARAL Program, DepEd’s role is more than administrative — it is strategic and integrative . It is tasked with: Conducting annual reviews of the program to ensure relevance and responsiveness; Identifying learne...

The School Governance Council (SGC) plays a vital role in realizing School-Based Management (SBM) in the Philippines. More than just a decision-making body, the SGC reflects the collective leadership of the school, its stakeholders, and its community. In its latest effort to strengthen this collaboration, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development – School Effectiveness Division (BHROD-SED) , has released a key resource: the SGC To-Do Calendar for 2025 . 🏫 What Is the SGC and Why It Matters in Every School Under the SBM framework , the SGC functions as a collaborative planning and monitoring mechanism . It brings together school leaders, parents, barangay officials, and other partners to design solutions that meet learners’ needs. According to DepEd SBM policy guidelines , shared governance improves transparency, responsiveness, and sustainability in public education. By involving multiple stakeholders in planning a...

The Department of Education (DepEd) , through the Office of the Undersecretary for Operations , has issued a memorandum reiterating the implementation of the Data Gathering and Consultation on the Development of Learners’ Handbook , as outlined in DM-OUOPS-2025-1260 dated April 25, 2025. This activity, coordinated by the Bureau of Learner Support Services–Youth Formation Division (BLSS-YFD) , aims to review and enhance the draft outline of the Learners’ Handbook by addressing real issues, emerging concerns, and feedback from learners. It also seeks to gather additional data from field offices to inform the content, structure, and relevance of the handbook. Here is the tool the DATA GATHERING AND CONSULTATION TOOL link The data gathered will be consolidated to support the finalization of the handbook and ensure that its presentation is practical, inclusive, and appropriate for nationwide implementation. A comprehensive report will include relevant findings and stakeholder inpu...