The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, January 12, announced that it is expanding mental health and anti-bullying support in public schools by formally involving parents, guardians, and caregivers as partners in learner protection through the rollout of the “Kaagapay” Program.

In a statement, DepEd said the program is in line with President Marcos’ directive to strengthen student well-being and child protection. The initiative is institutionalized under DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026, which positions parents and guardians as co-educators who help reinforce values formation, positive discipline, and learner well-being at home, complementing classroom instruction and school-based guidance programs.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the reform strengthens the support system around learners by bringing families into the education process.

“Bilang magulang din, alam natin kung gaano kabigat ang responsibilidad ng pag-aalaga at paggabay sa bata (As parents ourselves, we know how heavy the responsibility of caring for and guiding a child is),” Angara said.

“Kaya kapag magkakasama ang pamilya at paaralan sa paghubog ng asal at pag-unawa sa pinagdadaanan ng anak, mas napapangalagaan ang learners at mas gumagaan ang trabaho ng mga guro (That is why when the family and the school work together in shaping behavior and understanding what the child is going through, learners are better protected and the work of teachers becomes lighter),” he added.

With a Php100-million nationwide allocation, DepEd said the “Kaagapay” program is being implemented through parent engagement sessions and advocacy campaigns designed to translate school policies into practical, everyday actions within families.

These sessions use participatory and experiential approaches, including the sharing of best practices, guided reflection, and action planning, DepEd said.

The goal is to help parents better understand learner behavior, socio-emotional needs, and early warning signs of bullying, mental distress, or other concerns that may affect students’ well-being, the agency added.

DepEd explained that the sessions are structured to first situate parents’ roles within DepEd’s curriculum and learner development priorities before moving into focused discussions on socio-emotional and values support, positive discipline, bullying awareness, and home–school–community partnerships.

Parents are encouraged to reflect on their own family contexts and develop simple home action plans aligned with school objectives, helping sustain positive practices beyond the sessions, DepEd said.

To ensure wider participation, DepEd said schools may conduct “Kaagapay” sessions through face-to-face, modular, and asynchronous delivery modes, taking into account parents’ schedules, backgrounds, and circumstances.

The program is open to all parents and caregivers of learners in public elementary and secondary schools and aims to ensure representation across different family structures and socioeconomic backgrounds, DepEd said.

Participation is voluntary, with safeguards in place to protect privacy and prevent stigma, the agency added.

DepEd said implementation is already underway, with coordination and engagement activities continuing throughout School Year 2025–2026 via schools division offices.

DepEd said the rollout of “Kaagapay” coincides with broader government investments in learner well-being, including a Php2.9-billion allocation for the School-Based Mental Health Program.

This funding supports the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which mandates stronger school-based mental health services, including suicide prevention initiatives, DepEd said.

With the “Kaagapay” program, DepEd said it aims to ensure that parents are no longer bystanders but active partners in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments—strengthening learner protection and mental health both in schools and at home.