The Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) has recorded approximately 1.11 million enrollees from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners, for School Year 2026-2027 as of June 12.
DepEd reported a total enrollment of 1,114,682 students, with 988,270 enrolled in public schools, 111,910 in private schools, and 14,502 in ALS. The breakdown shows 68,204 Kindergarten pupils, 250,830 in Grades 1 to 3, 280,325 in Grades 4 to 6, 341,320 in Grades 7 to 10, and 154,128 in Grades 11 and 12.
Classes officially opened on June 8, though some schools postponed the start after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Maasim, Sarangani, and shook parts of the Davao Region. Despite the disruption, DepEd pushed forward with the school year opening.
Former DepEd-Davao Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo said enrollment reached 1,317,420 during School Year 2025-2026 and could rise to between 1.4 million and 1.5 million this year, indicating continued growth in the region’s student population.
The region currently has 56,701 personnel, including 49,156 teachers, 4,709 non-teaching personnel, and 2,836 employees in teaching-related positions. To prepare for the school opening, DepEd convened an interagency meeting with its divisions, local government units, and private-sector representatives to coordinate efforts for a safe learning environment.
Officials reported significant infrastructure needs: 269,012 pieces of school furniture require repair, including 201,524 armchairs. Additionally, 5,122 classrooms need major repairs and 8,006 need minor repairs. Some 380 school facilities require major electrical wiring repairs, while 826 need minor electrical work, and 47 facilities still need electrification.
DepEd also identified 5,139 toilets and 2,540 handwashing facilities requiring repairs. For security, 1,127 schools are priorities for CCTV camera installation, while 2,161 schools need metal detectors.
Farnazo attributed the high number of damaged classrooms and school furniture to natural disasters, including heavy rains and recent earthquakes that affected school facilities across the region.
“We call on everyone to work together, unite and support our preparations for the opening of classes,” Farnazo said during an interagency meeting on June 3 at the Apo View Hotel in Davao City.
Despite the challenges, DepEd remains prepared for the school year and continues to address infrastructure concerns through internal and external interventions.