PUBLIC school heads have begun their orientation sessions led by the Department of Education (DepEd), marking an intensified nationwide effort to prepare schools for key teaching and learning reforms set for School Year 2026–2027.

According to DepEd, the orientations aim to ensure that school leaders are fully equipped to strengthen leadership readiness and effectively manage new academic protocols.

Regional and division planning conferences held earlier this month laid the groundwork, followed by cluster-based orientations for school heads running until the end of April. Full orientations for both teachers and school heads are scheduled from May 2 to 15.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the early rollout of orientations reflects a more deliberate and structured approach to implementing reforms.

“Hindi puwedeng papel lang ang pagbabago. Kailangan ramdam ito sa bawat classroom,” he said. “We are making sure our school heads and teachers understand not just the ‘what,’ but the ‘why’ and the ‘how.’”

Angara also directed school heads to shield teachers from additional workload as reforms are introduced.

“Habang pinapadali natin ang sistema, hindi puwedeng dinadagdagan ang trabaho ng guro. No unnecessary reports, no extra tasks that take teachers away from teaching,” he added.