PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) Tuesday to ensure that public schools are ready for the opening of classes on June 8.
The president issued the directive during the National Capital Region Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off 2026 at Kapitbahayan Elementary School in Navotas City.
"We don't have to teach them.... We're just improving the facilities," the president said when asked for his marching orders to the DepEd, considering that the southwest monsoon, a precursor to the rainy season, has started.
"If ever I have instructions, that would be to ensure readiness for the resumption of classes so learning will go unhampered," he added.
The president said government efforts were focused on improving school facilities and ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment.
"It’s good to see that we are on a full blast mode in the education sector and every need, as long as the government can provide, we deliver," Marcos said.
"We will do this nationwide. And hopefully when classes resume, we are done with everything," he added.
The president led the launch of Brigada Eskwela 2026 together with Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara under the theme “Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkakaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman.”
The nationwide school maintenance drive, which runs from June 1 to 5, mobilizes teachers, parents, local governments, private organizations and volunteers to prepare schools for the start of School Year 2026-2027.
During the event, Marcos inspected ongoing school preparations and safety facilities, including newly installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras aimed at improving campus security.
"The first thing we checked is their CCTVs. We installed CCTVs. In this school they have 16 cameras to check on the learners and ensure their safety," he said.
Besides inspecting facilities, the president checked ongoing repair and maintenance works done by volunteers.
Marcos said that many of the volunteers have been enrolled under the Department of Labor and Employment's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.
Marcos said 147 schools have already benefited from the initiative, involving 3,658 Tupad beneficiaries and P26.12 million in assistance.
Another 181 schools are set to receive support, benefiting 4,597 workers through an additional P37.14 million allocation.
Marcos also led a storytelling session with selected Grade 1 pupils, where he read “Ang Matsing at ang Pagong (The Monkey and the Turtle),” a classic Filipino tale written by national hero Jose Rizal.
The story teaches its readers not to become selfish, to be honest, and not to use one's intelligence to deceive or take advantage of others.
"That's why you need to learn to share," Marcos told the young students.
The president observed the implementation of the “Tara, Basa!” program, a summer literacy intervention that taps college students to help younger learners improve their reading skills while receiving financial assistance for their education.
"We hire college students who want to help and earn by teaching kids how to read," Marcos said.
Also present during the activities were Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
In Quezon City, the Brigada Eskwela campaign was led by Vice President Sara Duterte at the Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School in Tatalon.
Duterte was joined by her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Suntay, and volunteers.
Suntay thanked Duterte for participating in Brigada Eskwela activities.
"Your support gives inspiration for our entire community to help us for a better education of our children," Suntay said.
The Diosdado P. Macapagal Elementary School serves 3,904 learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6 and has 66 classrooms.
The Office of the Vice President has also distributed cleaning and maintenance materials to San Vicente Elementary School and Pinyahan Elementary School, both in Diliman, Quezon City.
In a related development, the DepEd said field offices and school teachers are not required to spend their personal money on classroom preparations but should rely strictly on school funds, government assistance, institutional partnerships, and community volunteerism.
“We know that many teachers voluntarily help out because they love their students and schools, and we deeply appreciate this. But it should be clear that they are not required to spend out of their own pockets. It is our responsibility to make it easier for teachers to teach, not to add to their burdens,” Angara said.
Under the no-collection policy, schools are prohibited from collecting fees or contributions for Brigada Eskwela or any school opening activities.
