DepEd Shifts Focus to Classroom Repairs & Student Welfare in 2026
DEPED – After a year marked by destructive calamities, the Department of Education is placing classroom repair and rehabilitation at the center of its plans under the 2026 national budget.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that strengthening learning continuity in areas affected by disasters will be a key focus, particularly in communities hit by typhoons and earthquakes in 2025. Alongside infrastructure repair, DepEd will also pay close attention to the mental health and well-being of learners and educators who have been impacted by prolonged disruptions to classes.
“sustained varying degrees of damage, leading to the suspension of classes for days and even weeks.”
These interruptions, he noted, underscored the need for faster and more resilient responses to calamities.
“We may have faced a lot of challenges in the past year—especially during calamities that affected the learning of our students—and this time, we will push for the learning continuity of our schools,”
Angara said.
As part of the 2026 budget, DepEd will also invest in Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), which are temporary classrooms designed to be built quickly in disaster-stricken areas. Angara said an allocation, although not specified, has been set aside for these facilities, which can be constructed “within a matter of weeks.” For this year, 133 LCS units are being procured across 127 sites nationwide.
Photo Source: @Voice of America FB
“It is important for us to ensure the continuity of learning among students even if a calamity has just [happened],”
Angara said.
“Rest assured that the agency will take steps to address the needs of our schools, with consideration of the current situation.”
Beyond infrastructure and disaster response, DepEd will also prioritize drafting a policy aimed at promoting a
“safe, inclusive and motivating learning environment”
as part of its broader anti-bullying program, reinforcing its commitment to holistic education reform.
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