DepEd-Davao Reports 1.11 Million Enrollees for School Year 2026-2027
The Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) has recorded approximately 1.11 million enrollees from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners, for School Year 2026-2027 as of June 12.
According to DepEd, total enrollment reached 1,114,682 students. Of these, 988,270 enrolled in public schools, 111,910 in private schools, and 14,502 in ALS.
Breaking down the figures, 68,204 students are in Kindergarten, 250,830 in Grades 1 to 3, 280,325 in Grades 4 to 6, 341,320 in Grades 7 to 10, and 154,128 in Grades 11 and 12. Additionally, 4,714 learners are under NG-ES and 659 under NG-SS.
Classes officially began on June 8, but some schools postponed the start after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Maasim, Sarangani, shaking parts of the Davao Region.
Former DepEd-Davao Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo noted that enrollment during School Year 2025-2026 reached 1,317,420, and this year's numbers could rise to between 1.4 million and 1.5 million.
The region employs 56,701 personnel, including 49,156 teachers, 4,709 non-teaching staff, and 2,836 employees in teaching-related positions.
To prepare for the school opening, DepEd held an interagency meeting with divisions, local government units, and private-sector representatives to coordinate efforts for a safe learning environment.
During the meeting, officials reported that 269,012 pieces of school furniture need repair, including 201,524 armchairs. They also identified 5,122 classrooms requiring major repairs and 8,006 needing minor repairs.
DepEd further reported that 380 school facilities need major electrical wiring repairs, while 826 require minor electrical work. Another 47 facilities still lack electrification.
The department also identified 5,139 toilets and 2,540 handwashing facilities in need of repair. For security, 1,127 schools were tagged as priorities for closed-circuit television camera installation, while 2,161 schools need metal detectors.
Farnazo attributed the high number of damaged classrooms and furniture to natural disasters, including heavy rains and recent twin earthquakes that affected school facilities across the region.
“Nanawagan kami sa pagtambayayong, paghiusa og ang pakig-uban sa atoang pagpangandam para sa pag-abli sa klase (We call on everyone to work together, unite and support our preparations for the opening of classes),” Farnazo said during an interagency meeting on June 3 at the Apo View Hotel in Davao City.
Despite these challenges, Farnazo assured that DepEd remains prepared for the opening of classes and continues to address infrastructure and facility concerns through internal and external interventions.
