Grade 1 students attend their first day of classes at Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila.

Metro Manila, Philippines – The new school year (SY) 2025-2026 opened on Monday, June 16, marking a return of the old academic calendar since the pandemic, even as perennial problems hound the education sector.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the Epifanio delos Santos Ave. Elementary School in Manila, together with Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday morning.