DepEd proposes record P928.5B budget for 2026 to tackle learning crisis

The Department of Education (DepEd) is proposing a P928.52-billion budget for 2026 to address learning crisis issues such as classroom shortages and resource gaps.

This proposed allocation represents a historic four percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

DepEd plans to allocate P13.2 billion to build nearly 4,900 new classrooms next year, with a broader aim to deliver up to 40,000 more classrooms by 2028 through various partnerships.

An additional P11.8 billion will fund the School-Based Feeding Program, ensuring all Kindergarten children and malnourished pupils from Grades 1-6 receive proper meals.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara is urging Congress to realign the flood control budget and approve an additional P134.5 billion for education, bringing the total potential funding to over P1 trillion.

This additional request includes P48 billion for infrastructure, P20 billion for computerization, P17 billion for feeding, P15 billion for salaries and benefits, and P10 billion for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program.

Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian stated that reviewing the Department of Public Works and Highways's P270-billion flood control budget will be a top priority in the 2026 budget deliberations.

DepEd has also directed all regional and division offices to submit reports on uncompleted or "ghost" school buildings within 15 days to ensure accountability and safe classrooms.

Despite the significant funding request, concerns remain about DepEd's absorptive capacity, as it failed to spend P57 billion of its budget last year.