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MAKATI CITY, 12 January 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding school-based mental health and anti-bullying support by formally involving parents, guardians, and caregivers as partners in learner protection through the implementation of the Kaagapay Program, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to strengthen learner well-being and child protection in public schools.
Under the DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026, the Kaagapay program is tapping parents and guardians as co-educators who help reinforce values formation, positive discipline, and learner well-being at home, in direct support of classroom instruction and school-based guidance programs.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the reform strengthens the support system around learners by bringing families into the process.
“Bilang magulang din, alam natin kung gaano kabigat na responsibilidad ang pag-aalaga at paggabay sa bata. Kaya kapag magkakasama ang pamilya at paaralan sa paghubog ng asal at pag-unawa sa pinagdadaanan ng anak, mas napapangalagaan ang learners at mas gumagaan ang trabaho ng mga guro,” Angara said.
With an allocation of Php100 million nationwide, Kaagapay is being implemented through parent engagement sessions and advocacy campaigns designed to translate school policies into practical, everyday actions within families. These sessions use participatory and experiential methods such as sharing of best practices, guided reflection, and action planning, enabling parents to better understand learner behavior, socio-emotional needs, and the early signs of bullying or distress.
The sessions are structured to help parents situate their role within DepEd’s curriculum and learner development priorities before moving into learning discussions on socio-emotional and values support, positive discipline, bullying awareness, and home–school–community partnership. Parents are encouraged to reflect on their own family contexts and develop simple home action plans that align with school objectives, with the goal of sustaining positive practices beyond the sessions.
To ensure wider participation, schools may conduct face-to-face, modular, and asynchronous delivery modes, taking into account parents’ schedules, backgrounds, and circumstances. The program is open to all parents and caregivers of learners in public elementary and secondary schools and is designed to ensure representation across different family structures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Participation is voluntary, and safeguards are in place to protect privacy and prevent stigma
Implementation of the Kaagapay Program is already underway, with coordination and engagement activities continuing within School Year 2025–2026 through schools division offices.
The rollout of Kaagapay coincides with broader government investments in learner well-being, including a Php2.9-billion allocation for the School-Based Mental Health Program. The allocation supports the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which mandates the strengthening of school-based mental health services, including suicide prevention in schools.
With Kaagapay, DepEd is strengthening learner protection and well-being by ensuring that parents are not bystanders but active partners in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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