DepEd-Caraga set for class opening with 33,000 teachers
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Caraga region declared all systems go for the opening of School Year 2026-2027 on June 8, with 33,637 teaching personnel, 22,674 classrooms, and over P1 billion in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) allocated for elementary schools.
DepEd-13 Assistant Regional Director Pedro Escobarte Jr. said during a press conference on Thursday that the region is fully prepared, with Brigada Eskwela ongoing in different schools.
"The DepEd is not alone in the preparations for the opening of classes this year. The Brigada Eskwela, with the support of our stakeholders, the parents, will continue until the opening of classes," Escobarte said.
DepEd-13 has 33,637 teaching personnel assigned in 13 divisions, supported by 2,963 teaching-related personnel and 4,234 non-teaching personnel. A total of 2,515 teachers and school heads were recently promoted through the Expanded Career Progression System, and 2,041 newly created teaching items were added for Fiscal Year 2026.
For SY 2026-2027, DepEd-13 has been allocated P1.069 billion in MOOE for elementary, P548.4 million for junior high school, and P204.9 million for senior high school. Additional MOOE includes P6.9 million for elementary, P10.3 million for JHS, and P6.7 million for SHS.
The region has 22,674 classrooms ready for the school year, with an additional 5,518 proposed new classrooms being processed for implementation and construction. (PNA)