School Year 2026-2027 Opens Amid Transportation Challenges and Classroom Shortages
River crossings, crowded classrooms mark school opening
Image: Inquirer
The opening of School Year 2026-2027 in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines, saw millions of students returning to classes, facing challenges like classroom shortages and reliance on river transport for island students. Education officials are addressing infrastructure issues and hiring new teachers to support the influx of nearly one million students in the Eastern Visayas region.
- 01Students from island barangays in Dagupan City rely on motorized boats to cross the Calmay River daily to reach schools on the mainland.
- 02The Department of Education (DepEd) is hiring 2,046 new teachers to address shortages across various educational levels.
- 03In Eastern Visayas, initial enrollment exceeded 989,800 students, with ongoing registration and expected challenges in the early weeks of school.
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Classes resumed across the Philippines for School Year 2026-2027, with millions of students returning to crowded classrooms amid ongoing challenges. In Dagupan City, students from island barangays like Calmay and Carael depend on motorized boats to cross the Calmay River daily, as land routes are less practical. Education officials reported classroom shortages, damaged facilities, and teacher vacancies. In the Bicol region, schools are operating on shifting schedules due to a lack of classrooms, while repairs on damaged buildings are ongoing. The Eastern Visayas region welcomed nearly one million students, with plans to hire over 2,000 teachers to alleviate shortages. Security measures were heightened, with police personnel deployed across schools to ensure student safety. Despite these challenges, the school year commenced with enthusiasm, marked by various welcoming activities and campaigns against bullying.
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The ongoing classroom shortages and reliance on river transport affect students' daily commute and learning conditions, necessitating immediate infrastructure improvements and teacher recruitment.
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