The Department of Education (DepEd) rolled out EduKahon on Thursday, August 28—a standardized school recovery kit aimed at ensuring learning continuity for teachers and students during disasters and emergencies.

In a statement, DepEd said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen disaster preparedness in the education sector.

Highlighting its role in providing immediate support to affected schools, Education Secretary Sonny Angara formally launched EduKahon at Tabaco National High School in Albay.

“Ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro ang unang naaapektuhan tuwing may sakuna (Our students and teachers are the first to be affected whenever a disaster strikes),” Angara said.

The kits are designed to replace lost school supplies, sustain teaching and learning in evacuation centers and temporary classrooms, and reinforce DepEd’s disaster response strategy.

“Sa pamamagitan ng EduKahon, tinitiyak natin na tuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga bata at hindi mapuputol ang kanilang progreso sa kabila ng mga pangyayari (Through EduKahon, we ensure that children’s learning continues and their progress is not interrupted despite the circumstances),” he added.

With EduKahon, DepEd seeks to ensure that education remains resilient, safe, and inclusive—no matter the challenges posed by natural disasters.

DepEd said EduKahon will be deployed in three formats:

- School Kit – for immediate recovery of classrooms and temporary learning spaces

- Teacher Kit – for instructional support and teaching continuity

- Learner Kit – to provide students with essential school supplies

Each package supports one teacher and 40 learners, containing items such as pencils, notebooks, rulers, scissors, erasers, laminated learning posters (alphabet, multiplication, and number tables), books, hygiene kits, and first aid kits.

Some kits will also include a solar panel set to ensure access to electricity in remote or disaster-hit areas.

For Grade 10 student Arianne Chloe Velilla of Tabaco National High School, EduKahon provides not just materials but also hope.

“Pinakanagustuhan ko po yung solar panel kit kasi hindi lang ito makakatulong sa mga guro kundi pati na rin sa mga estudyante. Alam naman natin na sa panahon ngayon maraming nangyayaring kalamidad (What I liked most was the solar panel kit because it’s not only helpful for teachers but also for students. We all know that nowadays, many disasters are happening),” she said.

DepEd Undersecretary Fatima Lipp Panontongan explained that EduKahon kits will be customized based on recipient type and the specific needs of disaster-stricken schools.

“Itong lahat ng inisyatibo ni Secretary Angara, under the guidance of our President Ferdinand Marcos, ay para sa lahat ng estudyante at guro (All of Secretary Angara’s initiatives, under the guidance of our President Ferdinand Marcos, are for all students and teachers),” she said.

“It’s not just about the continuity of education but also about their safety. ‘Yan talaga ang number one na pinapahalagahan natin (That’s truly our top priority),” she added.

DepEd said it has allotted P4 million from the Basic Education Curriculum fund for the initial rollout.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) will lead distribution and monitoring in calamity-affected public schools and community learning centers nationwide.

To expand its reach, EduKahon will be integrated into the Adopt-a-School Program, allowing private partners and donors to directly support the preparation and distribution of recovery kits.

“Muli, hinihikayat natin ang ating mga private partners na suportahan ang EduKahon (Once again, we urge our private partners to support EduKahon),” Angara said. “Pagtulungan natin na mas mabilis makabalik sa pag-aaral at makabangon ang ating mga apektadong paaralan, mag-aaral, at guro (Let us work together to help affected schools, students, and teachers return to learning and recover more quickly),” he added.

IN PHOTOS: During his visit to Albay on August 28, 2025, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara led the launch of EduKahon—a ready-to-deploy school recovery kit designed to ensure uninterrupted learning even in times of disaster.

Angara and other DepEd officials distributed the first batch of kits to students, teachers, and schools at Tabaco National High School in Albay. (Photos from DepEd)