PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to expand internet coverage across public schools, lamenting only about 60 percent have access to connectivity.

“Sinabihan ko ang DICT, sinabi ko palawakin niyo ang internet coverage. Sa ngayon, ang eskwelahang may internet lamang ay around 60%, napakababa (I told DICT, I said expand the internet coverage. Right now, only around 60 percent of schools have internet, that’s very low),” Marcos said in an interview after visiting the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Malate, Manila for the opening of classes for school year 2025–2026.

Marcos also pointed to electricity issues as a major barrier to achieving broader digital access in schools.

“Inaayos namin ‘yan, inuuna natin yung mga underserved [areas] (We’re working on that, prioritizing underserved areas),” he said.

The President added that the convergence of all government departments is key to improving education infrastructure and services nationwide.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), some 27 million students from preschool to senior high school will be enrolled for the School Year 2025–2026, which marks the return to the traditional June-to-March school calendar after a temporary shift during the coronavirus pandemic.

The current school year is scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2026. (PNA)