Angara: Private schools get flexibility on learning delivery during energy crisis

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 




MAKATI CITY, 9 April 2026 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has allowed private schools greater flexibility in delivering classes and teacher training as schools grapple with rising electricity costs during the national energy emergency.

In a memorandum dated April 7, the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that private schools may continue holding five days of in-person classes or adopt blended learning to help manage operational expenses while ensuring students continue learning.

The guidance comes as schools face higher energy costs following the declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency under Executive Order No. 110, s. 2026.

“We understand the challenges our private schools are facing. We want to give them the flexibility to manage rising operational costs while protecting the quality of learning,” Angara said.

Under the clarification, private schools shifting to blended learning do not need prior approval, provided they follow the prescribed model and inform their Schools Division Office at least five days before implementation. The report must include the revised class schedule and plans to ensure learning standards are maintained.

Under the guidance on blending learning, for Kinder to Grade 6, schools are advised to limit remote classes to one day a week to protect foundational literacy and numeracy development.

Meanwhile, Grades 7 to 10 learners may engage in up to two days of remote learning per week, and up to three days of remote learning per week for Senior High School learners.

Blended learning combines face-to-face classroom instruction with remote learning, which may be conducted synchronously or asynchronously, with or without digital technology.

DepEd also encouraged schools to adopt flexible formats for teacher training and professional development, including online, asynchronous, or hybrid platforms, to reduce travel and energy consumption.

The flexibility will remain in effect while the national energy emergency is in force, the department said.

At the same time, DepEd reminded schools that face-to-face learning remains the default mode, and any alternative arrangements must continue to meet the required learning standards for students.

Regional and division offices have been directed to monitor how the adjusted learning modalities are implemented in private schools.

𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐖𝐅, 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐨 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐨

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 



Sa atas ng tagapangulo ng Komisyon, Atty. Marites A. Barrios-Taran, nagsagawa ng bisita-opisyal si Dr. Benjamin M. Mendillo Jr., Komisyoner sa Pangasiwaan at Pananalapi sa tanggapan ni Pulis Heneral Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.,Puno ng Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas noong 23 Marso 2026, sa Punong Himpilan, Kampo Crame.



Tinalakay ni Komisyoner Mendillo ang pagpapatupad ng Kautusang Tagapagpaganap Blg. 335 o paggamit ng wikang Filipino sa mga opisyal na transaksiyon ng pamahalaan, kasama ang pagsasalin ng Miranda Rights sa wikang Filipino sa mga bernakular na wika at ang implementasyon ng Batas Republika Blg. 11106 na nagtataguyod sa paggamit ng Filipino Sign Language (FSL) sa mga pampublikong serbisyo, kabilang ang sektor ng seguridad.



Kabilang din sa mga natalakay ang pagkakaroon ng FSL inset sa Lupang Hinirang sa kanilang tanggapan, gayundin ang pagpapalakas ng ingklusibong serbisyo para sa mga Bingi.



Ang Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas ay aktibong kaakibat ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sa ingklusibo, episyente, at makataong serbisyo para sa ligtas na komunidad.

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Angara: ‘All systems go’ for NSPC 2026 in Ormoc City

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 10 April 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) has finalized preparations for the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), set from April 13 to 17 in Ormoc City, Leyte, with reforms aimed at strengthening support for learners, teachers, and school communities while sustaining excellence in campus journalism.



Anchored on the theme “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag” (Critical, Principled, and Accountable Journalism), this year’s NSPC highlights the role of schools and educators in guiding students to become responsible communicators in an increasingly complex media environment.



The annual conference continues to serve as a national platform for the country’s top campus journalists. Participants, composed of top regional winners, will compete in individual and group competitions, including writing, visual journalism, publishing, mobile, and broadcast categories.




“Sa panahon ngayon kung saan napakabilis kumalat ang impormasyon, mas mahalaga ang papel ng kabataang mamamahayag na marunong magsuri, at manindigan sa katotohanan. Ang NSPC ay isang paghuhubog ng mga kabataang magiging tagapagtanggol ng katotohanan sa hinaharap,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.



To better support schools and advisers, the department has introduced key adjustments, including the shift of the School Paper Contest into an exhibition format. Instead of focusing on a single national winner, the exhibit will showcase the best publications from each region, allowing more student outputs to gain visibility and enabling peer learning among campus journalists and teachers.



Participation remains limited to top regional qualifiers to help manage costs and minimize disruption to teaching time, while maintaining the prestige of the national competition.



The evolving format of the NSPC reflects its broader effort to make national programs more responsive to the needs of schools, ensuring that while student talents are recognized, learning continuity, teacher workload, and resource efficiency remain protected.



The change responds to feedback from the field, particularly from advisers and school heads who have called for more inclusive and instructional formats that recognize diverse approaches to campus journalism.



Hosted by DepEd Region VIII in partnership with the Schools Division of Ormoc City, the five-day event will also provide opportunities for collaboration among educators, student journalists, and regional delegations.