Brigada Eskwela and enrollment for School Year 2026-2027 officially kicked off on Monday, June 1, 2026, drawing numerous teachers, parents, and students to schools across Davao Region.
DepEd Officials Emphasize Private Sector Support
Allan G. Farnazo, regional director of the Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao), stressed the importance of support from the private sector. He noted that students nurtured by schools eventually enter the workforce and contribute to communities. "The products of the education sector eventually become part of the corporate world. That is why we must continue to receive support from our partners in the private sector," he said. Farnazo added that each sector needs the other to grow, and if one sector stops, it would affect its counterparts.
Volunteerism and Bayanihan Spirit
Assistant Secretary for Information and Communications Technology Atty. Marcelino G. Veloso III expressed optimism that the spirit of volunteerism will continue and that collective action will extend beyond the kickoff. He encouraged all sectors to remain active partners in supporting quality education, emphasizing the spirit of bayanihan.
Regional Kickoff at Maa Central Elementary School
DepEd-Davao launched the regional kickoff of Brigada Eskwela at Maa Central Elementary School. Representatives from government agencies, private organizations, and community stakeholders conducted cleaning activities to prepare for the opening of classes, ensuring a safe, clean, and conducive learning environment.
Enrollment at Talomo Central Elementary School
At Talomo Central Elementary School, parents flocked on the first day to enroll their children for the upcoming classes starting June 8, 2026. Emalyn Mulato, assistant principal, shared their goals for this year's Brigada Eskwela: finishing the mini gym in time for classes, declogging canals to prevent flooding, and acquiring literacy and numeracy kits for kindergarten teachers. Mulato, also a teacher, mentioned minor repairs needed for old rooms, chairs, and tables. Due to some unusable rooms, parents are helping transfer furniture to usable areas. She expects more parents in the following days, as organizations have expressed interest in helping. "We are still expecting more people because some do not come on the first day. They usually come the next day since there are too many people on the opening day," she told SunStar Davao on June 1, 2026. Mulato welcomed donations of cleaning materials and volunteer services, emphasizing that parents are ensuring that rooms and facilities are ready for their children.
Three-Term School Calendar for SY 2026-2027
School Year 2026-2027 will start on June 8, 2026, and end on April 8, 2027, with 201 class days, following a three-term school calendar. DepEd stated that the new calendar provides more latitude for teaching and learning. In times of disaster, schools can shift to alternative learning modalities, such as online or modular learning, to ensure continuity. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. approved the proposed three-term calendar for public schools from elementary to senior high school, starting in Academic Year 2026-2027. The plan aligns with the recommendation of the Economic and Development Council (EDC) and is part of broader education reforms. The old four grading periods will be replaced by a three-term academic calendar, aiming to address compressed learning periods caused by class suspensions due to calamities, accidents, and other disruptions.
