DEPED BAGUIO READY FOR SY 2025-2026 DESPITE BUDGET CUTS

May 31, 2025 Metro BLISTT

No collection of fees at the start of school year

BAGUIO CITY

The City Schools Division – Department of Education (DepEd) said the agency is ramping up preparations for the 2025-2026 school year ,and a new curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 will be implemented starting June 16. “We are very much prepared considering that we have already scheduled our Brigada Eskwela next week:” Our school heads are also preparing for it,” Jerry C. Ymson, Chief of School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD). Ymson emphasized DepEd’s strict adherence to the no-collection policy. “All our schools, teachers, and Parent Teacher Association (PTAs) will not collect fees at the start of the school year.

Any collections will be handled by the PTA and only within the mid of the school year, in accordance with DepEd orders,” Ymson explained. Programs for learners and the community, like Brigada Eskwela and medical assessments are in placed. “During the opening of
classes, we will have doctors and nurses assigned to schools for physical and medical assessments,” he said. While final enrollment
numbers are not yet available, Ymson shared that, “Every year we have a projection of 5 percent to 10 percent increase in our schools. That is in general for public schools. Nevertheless, it will vary per school depending on the location.”

Reports of teacher shortages, Ymson clarified, “I wouldn’t say we are having a shortage of teachers in our schools. What’s good is this
coming school year, we will have a lot of teacher items.” On the issue of classroom shortages, Ymson expressed cautious optimism. “If you base it from the number of enrollees we had last year, I would say we’re not having much of a problem when it comes to classrooms,” he said. He admitted, however, that budget constraints are a concern. “Last year we have more funds when it comes to infrastructure. But relative to what’s happening now, this coming school year, we will have lesser funds,” Ymson noted.

Regarding new classrooms, he said, “There are some schools with ongoing construction, but as of now, there are no new projects because we don’t have funds yet for this school year.” The official announced that a new curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 will be implemented starting June 16. Baguio City National High School is among the pilot to implement said new curriculum. On teacher compensation. Ymson said a “Teacher I entry level monthly salary ranges P20K, adding teachers receive midyear and Christmas bonuses, P2K allowance, and other benefits. He also highlighted ongoing teacher development programs, such as the Induction Program for Beginning Teachers (IBPT) and in-service trainings. On land issues, he said “All of our schools in Baguio are working for the titling of the respective lots where the school is located.”

Lorie Bernadette T.Laririt/ UC-Intern