These will be the “partner” of parents, guardians, and caregivers, according to the department.
Under DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026, the Department of Education has launched the new Kaagapay Program, which will expand and strengthen values formation, positive discipline, at learner well-being at and as direct support for teaching inside the classroom and school-based guidance program.
This initiative had a budget of PHP100 million and will be allotted to parent engagement sessions and advocacy campaigns that aim to translate policies to practical, daily interaction within the family using participatory and experiential methods like sharing best practices, guided reflection, and action planning.
These sessions will be structured to ensure parents will be able to properly see their important role in DepEd’s curriculum. It will also be delivered through face-to-face, modular, or asynchronous delivery modes.
The Kaagapay Program is on a voluntary program and is open to all interested parents and caregivers of students in elementary and high school. DepEd likewise assured that it will adhere to data privacy policies to prevent stigma.
Coordination and engagement activities under School Year 2025–2026 through schools division offices is already underway.
Meanwhile, to ensure learners’ well-being, a PHP2.9 billion School-Based Mental Health Program has been included in the budget.
The fund is supported by the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which directs the strengthened school-based mental health services, including ang suicide prevention.
“Bilang magulang din, alam natin kung gaano kabigat na responsibilidad ang pag-aalaga at paggabay sa bata,” noted Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “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.”