If you’re a student, parent, or teacher, you might have noticed that sodas and junk food are nowhere to be found in your school canteen. That’s not by accident! The Department of Education (DepEd) has made it clear: soft drinks and junk food are still banned in schools all over the Philippines. This rule isn’t new, but with some schools slipping up last year, DepEd is reminding everyone to stick to the healthy path.
**Healthy Choices Only**
According to DepEd, schools should only offer foods that help kids grow strong and stay active. That means you’ll find water, fresh fruits, rice, chicken, fish, and unsweetened drinks in the “green” category—these are always welcome in the canteen. Foods like fruit juices, sandwiches, and stir-fried vegetables are in the “yellow” category, so they can be served, but in moderation.
But what’s definitely off the menu? Sodas, energy drinks, coffee, ice cream, cakes, donuts, French fries, instant noodles, bacon, and other junk foods are strictly not allowed. The goal is to help students and teachers make healthy choices every day. If students want to eat these treats, it’s up to their parents to decide—just not at school.
**Bigger, Better Classrooms Ahead**
DepEd isn’t just focused on healthy eating. They’re also working hard to fix the classroom shortage across the country. Over the next three years, the department plans to build at least 105,000 new classrooms, thanks to partnerships with private companies and non-government organizations. This should help bring down the classroom shortage from 165,000 to 60,000.
With over 27 million students expected to return to school this year, the need for more classrooms is urgent. While new rooms are being built, some students in crowded schools may still need to use distance learning, especially those who are independent learners.
**Getting Ready for the New School Year**
As the new school year kicks off on June 16, schools are also gearing up with the annual Brigada Eskwela—a week-long clean-up and repair drive to fix up chairs, tables, and classrooms before classes start. Plus, schools in remote areas will soon get a boost in connectivity, as DepEd plans to use donated Starlink units to bring internet access where there’s no signal.
So, as students head back to school, they can look forward to healthier lunches, better classrooms, and a learning environment that puts their well-being first.