In policy shift, DepEd allows learning materials on classroom walls

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Although the Department of Education has not issued a new order, Secretary Sonny Angara says they are not strictly enforcing the directive of his predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) is allowing teachers to display decorations, including learning materials, on classroom walls, which were previously banned by Vice President Sara Duterte when she was the education secretary.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said on Monday, June 16, that although the policy has not been officially repealed, the department has not been strictly enforcing it.

“Kasi ‘yung ibang schools nga gusto nila ‘yun ang expression ng mga bata eh. Parang ‘yun ang freedom of expression nila — maglagay noong mga creations nila, mga drawings nila. I think we have bigger problems siguro,” Angara said during a visit to Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila, as a new school year began.

(Some schools actually want it because it’s a way for students to express themselves. It’s like their form of freedom of expression — to put up their creations and drawings. I think we have bigger problems to focus on.)

In August 2023, Duterte issued DepEd Order No. 21, directing schools to ensure that classrooms, walls, school grounds, and other facilities remain clean and free of artwork, decorations, tarpaulins, and posters at all times.

The order drew criticism from educators and academic groups, who argued that instructional materials and other visual aids have long been a staple of Philippine classrooms.

Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet in June 2024.

The return of classroom decorations was welcome news for teachers. Reggie Porta Ebol, a Grade 2 teacher, said they were excited to learn they could once again put up visual aids in their classrooms.

“Noong nag-Brigada Eskwela po, we already started…decorating our rooms. We believe naman kasi the visual aids will help our learners have more retention [of information], sa functional literacy na ine-aim ng ating gobyerno,” Ebol said.

(During Brigada Eskwela, we already started decorating our rooms. We believe that visual aids will help our learners have more retention of information, especially as our government aims for functional literacy.)

The opening of school year 2025-2026 on Monday marked the return to the old academic calendar, with classes starting in June and ending in March. The shift was prompted by extreme heat during April and May, which was deemed not conducive to learning.

The DepEd also began the pilot implementation of the revised K to 12 program in the new school year.

Under the revised program, the number of core subjects for Grade 11 students has been reduced from 15 per semester to five per year. The available tracks have been streamlined from four to two: Academic and Technical Professional. Additionally, Grade 11 and 12 students can now choose elective subjects freely, regardless of their chosen track.

– Rappler.com