8 NEW SCHOOLS to open in Apayao; DepEd expansion expected to boost education access for thousands of students

Apayao – Eight newly established schools across Apayao are set to begin operations for School Year 2026–2027 as the Department of Education – Apayao intensifies preparations ahead of the opening of classes on June 8.

As the new school year approaches, DepEd Apayao conducted a planning and coordination meeting on May 20 to discuss operational arrangements and readiness measures for the opening of the new schools.

The newly established institutions include two elementary schools: Felomino B. Magilaa Elementary School in Conner and Catawaraan Elementary School in Flora.

Meanwhile, the remaining six are integrated schools: Dagupan Integrated School and San Isidro Integrated School in Luna; Dangla Integrated School, Padaoan Integrated School, and Guinamgamman Integrated School in Conner; and Musimut Integrated School in Kabugao, which will begin operations through the integration of existing elementary and secondary school programs.

According to DepEd’s National Inventory Dashboard, Apayao currently has 200 schools under the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Apayao. The addition of eight more schools is expected to significantly improve access to education, especially in remote and underserved communities across the province.

Earlier this year, DepEd secured a ₱1.015-trillion national budget for 2026 aimed at strengthening education services nationwide. In February, Undersecretary Edson Byron Sy said through the Philippine Information Agency that ₱84.7 billion had been allocated for the construction of new classrooms and the rehabilitation of existing learning facilities.

The agency also announced plans to construct 20,063 regular classrooms with furniture, 1,650 kindergarten classrooms, and 800 schools in remote areas nationwide to improve learning conditions and ensure continuity in education.

With the opening of the new schools in Apayao, students are expected to benefit from improved access to quality education, more conducive learning environments, and strengthened delivery of educational services throughout the province.