DepEd bolsters support for Middle East-based Philippine schools

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MAKATI CITY, 7 April 2026—The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday reached out to Filipino educators and more than 23,000 learners across 27 Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) in the Middle East to ensure their welfare amid the ongoing regional conflict.



In a virtual dialogue dubbed “Online Kumustahan,” DepEd officials reassured school administrators, teachers and learners of the government’s commitment for their safety and learning continuity.



“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., narito kami upang magbigay ng suporta at malinaw na gabay para masiguro ang pag-aaral at seguridad ng ating mga OFW at kanilang mga pamilya sa gitna ng hamong ito,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in his message read during the session.



The real-time dialogue allowed DepEd officials to answer concerns from PSO heads regarding operational hurdles, including crisis communication protocols and academic flexibility under the regulations of their respective host countries.



DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Jocelyn Andaya and Private Education Office Director Runvi Manguerra facilitated discussions on the shift to online learning delivery, which all 27 Middle East-based PSOs have adopted since March to ensure student safety.



School officials led by Association of Philippine Schools Overseas (APSO) president, Dr. Noemi Formaran expressed their gratitude to DepEd for the dialogue, noting the session provided a meaningful platform for mutual understanding.



“Thank you for holding this session. It was a truly enlightening discussion,” Formaran said.



To maintain the close coordination, DepEd announced these “Online Kumustahan” sessions will be held regularly to provide consistent support and updates.



PSOs are duly-registered institutions implementing the DepEd basic education curriculum abroad. They are designed to facilitate the eventual reintegration of Filipino learners overseas into the Philippine school system while serving as cultural hubs for the Filipino youth overseas.



Currently, PSOs operate in ten countries mostly in the Middle East, serving a total population of more than 25,000 learners.



DepEd said the dialogue also aimed to identify the specific needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families and reassure them of the government’s steadfast protection.

The Online Kamustahan follows DepEd’s intensified support for educators displaced by the conflict, particularly through the “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) program. The initiative provides permanent teaching positions to returning OFWs who are licensed teachers.

Since 2014, the SPIMS program has successfully integrated over 11,000 licensed teachers into the public school workforce, helping address the country’s teacher shortage while tapping into the global expertise of returning professionals.

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