THE Department of Education (DepEd) has warned the public against circulating false information, following a viral social media post that falsely claimed Saturday classes will begin for elementary to senior high school students starting July 5.
In an advisory posted on July 1 via its official Facebook page, DepEd categorically denied the claim, calling it “fake news.”
“There is no truth to the social media post about the alleged addition of Saturday classes from elementary to senior high school,” the agency stated in Filipino.
DepEd clarified that no directive has been issued requiring Saturday classes at any level for School Year 2025–2026. The department also urged the public to verify information only through DepEd’s official website and verified social media accounts.
“We again remind everyone to remain cautious and discerning against any form of misinformation,” it added.
The clarification comes as the new school year officially opened on July 7, with 25.1 million learners enrolled in both public and private schools nationwide, based on the latest enrollment data.
Earlier, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, along with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., led the ceremonial opening of classes at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Singalong, Manila.
While the school year began smoothly, the Department of Education (DepEd) acknowledged persistent challenges in the education sector, such as the shortage of an estimated 165,000 classrooms, a deficit of more than 56,000 teachers, and limited access to learning materials.
To address these gaps, the agency said it is implementing urgent and targeted interventions aimed at improving the delivery of basic education services across the country.
DepEd also continues to urge stakeholders, parents, and students to rely solely on its official communication channels for accurate and timely updates on education policies and programs. DEF