MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has moved to ensure that Filipino students living abroad are not left behind in the government’s massive overhaul of the basic education system, ordering the integration of Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) into the nationwide rollout of learning reforms.
The initiative, discussed during a virtual “Online Kumustahan” on Thursday, April 16, 2026, aims to align the education of over 25,000 learners across 10 countries—primarily in the Middle East—with the new standards being implemented for School Year 2026–2027.
The Department of Education (DepEd) outlined several critical policy shifts that will now apply to PSOs to ensure they remain synchronized with the Philippine national curriculum:
- Three-Term School Calendar: A mandatory shift to a trimester system designed to maximize instructional time and reduce the administrative burden on teachers.
- Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) Program: A refined curriculum focused on better preparing graduates for both immediate employment and higher education.
- New Assessment Guidelines: Updated classroom assessment and grading systems that emphasize competency-based learning over traditional rote memorization.
- Operational Flexibility: Recognizing the diverse environments of host countries, DepEd is granting PSOs a transition period to adapt these reforms to local contexts while maintaining national standards.
The dialogue also addressed the welfare of Filipino students in areas currently affected by geopolitical tensions:
- Middle East Support: DepEd officials reiterated their commitment to supporting learners in the Middle East amidst ongoing regional conflicts, ensuring that education remains a “stable anchor” for families abroad.
- Cultural Reintegration: Secretary Angara emphasized that staying aligned with national reforms is crucial for students who may eventually return to the Philippines, allowing for a “seamless reintegration” into local colleges or the workforce.
- Future-Ready Curriculum: The reforms include flexible learning programs and strengthened education-in-emergencies protocols, making the system more resilient to global shocks.
Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje described the changes not as isolated updates, but as a “mutually reinforcing” system-wide transformation. By including PSOs in these orientations, DepEd aims to raise learning outcomes for all Filipino children, regardless of their geographical location.
“Following the marching orders of President Bongbong Marcos, we are committed to ensuring our global learners are future-ready,” Angara stated. As PSOs begin preparing for the 2026–2027 school year, this inclusion marks a significant step toward a truly unified Philippine education system that spans the globe.