SOUTHERN LEYTE – Schools across Southern Leyte buzzed with energy and anticipation as thousands of students, parents, and teachers officially marked the start of School Year 2025–2026. The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Southern Leyte reported a smooth and spirited opening on Monday, June 16, after a successful week-long community effort to prepare classrooms and campuses.
Dubbed “Brigada Eskwela” or the “School Brigade,” the initiative ran from June 9 to 13 and showcased an inspiring display of bayanihan—the Filipino tradition of communal unity. Volunteers, school personnel, parents, and private sector partners worked together to clean, repair, and prepare learning spaces, ensuring that students returned to safe and welcoming classrooms on the first day of school.
The total number of enrollees for this school year reached 79,584 students across all grade levels, according to Lyna M. Gayas, Administrative Officer V and Division Information Officer-designate of DepEd Southern Leyte. For Kindergarten, there are 4,776 enrollees—2,533 male and 2,243 female. Grade 1 recorded 5,482 learners, Grade 2 had 5,579, Grade 3 reached 6,006, Grade 4 followed with 6,619, Grade 5 listed 5,281, and Grade 6 had the highest count in the elementary level with 7,539 enrollees. Non-graded learners were reported at 281.
In the secondary level, Grade 7 recorded 6,828 students, Grade 8 followed with 5,524, Grade 9 had 6,047, and Grade 10 registered 6,227 enrollees. For Senior High School, Grade 11 reported 6,827 students, while Grade 12 followed with 6,468 learners. (Avista)