Parents, students return to schools as classes open for SY 2026-2027

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Parents and students flocked to schools on Monday, June 8, as school year 2026-2027 opened, with teachers and school officials welcoming learners and implementing preparations aimed at ensuring a smooth start to classes.

At Mabolo Elementary School in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City Central Elementary School, the first day included orientations, classroom assignments, and activities meant to help students adjust.

At Mabolo Elementary School, parents accompanied their children as they returned to their classrooms for another year of learning.

READ ALSO: Typhoon Tino-hit schools in Cebu City’s north resume full face-to-face classes

Learners return to Mabolo Elementary School

Anna Rhea Perez, 39, a resident of Barangay Mabolo, said she has three children enrolled in the school — one in kindergarten, another in Grade 2, and the eldest in Grade 5.

Perez said that the family reused some uniforms and prepared school supplies ahead of the opening of classes.

She admitted that raising children in school remains a challenge, but that parents continue to do their best to provide for their children’s education.

“Bisag moingon ta nga lisod gyud, pero gikaya sa ginikanan kay ang atoang ginalantaw gyud kay ang kaayohan sa mga bata,” she said.

Raising money for supplies as classes open

(Even if life is difficult, parents do their best because what we always think about is the welfare of our children.)

She added that she hopes her children would continue to learn more and benefit from the lessons taught in school.

Another parent, Grezil Fabrique, 39, of Umapad, Mandaue City, said she was still looking for ways to raise money for school supplies for her children.

Her child, now in Grade 2, has been studying at Mabolo Elementary School since kindergarten.

LEARN MORE: 105K Lapu-Lapu students to receive school supply kits

Enrollment still ongoing

“Akong gusto nga makat-on siya, daghan siya’g ma-learn sa school para sa iyang future puhon,” Fabrique said.

(I want my child to learn and gain knowledge in school that will help secure a better future.)

Dr. Rosario O. Palanca, principal of Mabolo Elementary School, said that the school was still expecting additional enrollees.

As of Friday June 5, she said that the school had recorded 2,139 learners. That was lower than last year’s enrollment of 2,564 students.

New building, renewed hope

But enrollment remained ongoing and more students were still arriving.

Palanca added that classroom congestion had eased following the construction of a new 16-classroom Local School Board building.

An eight-classroom national government building is also under construction, although only four rooms are currently being used.

She expressed hope that once the remaining classrooms are completed, the school would be able to fully phase out half-day schedules.

New this school year: 3 terms

The principal also assured parents that they should not worry about the Department of Education’s three-term school calendar.

Under the setup, she explained, classes will be divided into three learning blocks, with examinations taking place at the end of each term. These will run from June to September, September to December, and January to April.

Palanca said that competencies under the previous four-quarter system have been reorganized.

“We are all ready,” she said, adding that the Cebu City Government had provided bags and school supplies for learners.

Orientation, activities mark opening in Lapu-Lapu

Meanwhile, preparations at Lapu-Lapu City Central Elementary School began before classes opened.

Principal Paz G. Tecson said teachers had met to finalize section assignments, with lists of students posted on school walls to guide parents and learners.

Late enrollees and transferees were also accommodated.

According to Tecson, the school lined up several activities to help ease students into the new school year.

Programs for the school year

Aside from orientation sessions, learners also underwent literacy assessments, including the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI), which measures reading abilities.

Teachers also introduced themselves to students. As part of the routine, staff took the students’ weights.

“We also ensure that during the first day of classes that the activities that will be given to the students from our teachers will motivate them from coming to school, like games and songs,” Tecson said.

The principal also said the school has strengthened its anti-bullying campaign, with an action plan already submitted and orientations on anti-bullying policies scheduled for both students and parents.

Security and anti-bullying campaign

As part of safety measures, Tecson said that the school implemented policies and rules to prevent bullying.

These included the submission of an Anti-Bullying Action Plan and the enforcement of a Closed Gate Policy to train children to become more independent.

“Among gibuhat karon, amo sa gipasud ang bata sa ilang classrooms. As part of the safety and protection of the learners and teachers, we do not allow parents to be inside the school. But since it is the first day of school, amoa silang gi-allow kay ang mga bata wala pa kahibaw sa ilang rooms. Usually parents pa man na ang mag tan aw, but supposedly mga 7:30, mu-out na dapat sila and maestra ang mo kuyog sa mga bata sa orientation and flag ceremony,” she said.

(As part of ensuring the safety and protection of learners and teachers, we usually do not allow parents to stay inside the school. However, since it is the first day of classes and the children are still unfamiliar with their rooms, we allowed parents to accompany them. Normally, parents must leave by 7:30 a.m. and teachers will guide the children during the orientation and flag ceremony.)

Parents support children’s aspirations

The school also encourages parents to gradually train younger children to become more independent to help address separation anxiety, particularly among kindergarten pupils.

Tecson assured parents that teachers would continue to act as second parents to their learners and that measures are in place to ensure their safety while inside the campus.

For many parents, the opening of classes also meant supporting their children’s interests and dreams.

One of them was Sharkie Canes, who transferred her son, now in Grade 6, to Lapu-Lapu City Central Elementary School after learning that the school actively participates in various regional and divisional competitions.

Finding an outlet for his basketball dreams

Canes said that the family decided to move her son from his previous school so he could pursue his interest in basketball.

“Actually, transferee mi gikan sa laing school. Nibalhin mi kay into sports man akong anak sa basketball. Nya diri man ang eskwelahan nga apil sa Division Meet ug City Palaro, so suportaran nako siya,” she said.

(We transferred from another school because my son is into basketball. Since this school competes in Division Meets and City Palaro, I decided to support him by transferring him here.)

As classes resumed, Canes said she only hopes her son would continue to study well, respect others, and remain focused on achieving his goals.

Learn to focus, respect everyone

“Message nako sa akong anak nga magtarong lang gyud siya sa iyang pag-eskwela, magbinuotan lang siya, know how to respect others, unya focus siya sa iyang goals kung unsa iyang gusto sa iyang future,” she said.

(My message to my son is to study hard, behave well, know how to respect others, and stay focused on whatever goals he wants to achieve in the future.)

Across schools in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu, teachers, parents, and school officials spent the day helping learners settle into their classrooms. Students began to adjust to the new school year through orientations, classroom activities, and other preparations.

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