January 29, 2026 –
The Meeting of the CEAP National Basic Education Commission (NBEC) held online via Zoom on Thursday, January 29, 2026, gathered more than 800 school heads and administrators. The Department of Education played a vital role in the meeting, particularly in discussing agenda items related to; K–10 curriculum implementation for SY 2026–2027, Revised Grading System, Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) Curriculum, SHS recognition, and Reproductive Health Education. The CEAP Executive Director, Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio, opened the meeting by emphasizing the need for a turnaround leadership mindset change amid ongoing reforms in basic education, underscoring that policy shifts—such as the revised grading system—must be supported by structured interventions, literacy programs, and clear institutional mechanisms. The meeting was moderated by Dr. Gina L. Montalan, Chair of the CEAP National Basic Education Commission and Academic Vice President for Basic Education of Ateneo de Davao University and, who affirmed CEAP NBEC’s commitment to assist member-schools through trainings, interventions, and policy guidance, particularly in areas of concern such as the revised grading system, K–10 curriculum implementation for SY 2026–2027, the Strengthened Senior High School (SHS) Curriculum, SHS recognition, and Reproductive Health Education (RHE).
Key policy updates from the Department of Education were presented by the DepEd officials. Assistant Secretary Jerome T. Buenviaje, Assistant Secretary for Learning Systems Strand, discussed the Revised Standard Grading System, addressing common concerns such as perceptions of “mass promotion,” grade inflation, and mismatches between grades and actual learner performance. He outlined the phased implementation beginning SY 2026–2027, including descriptive, non-numeric grading for early key stages and adjustments in transmutation and assessment practices. Assistant Secretary Janir Ty Datukan, Assistant Secretary for Learning Systems Strand, clarified curriculum-related concerns, including the spiral progression approach in Junior High School science, flexibility in implementing curriculum changes, the delivery of subjects such as Mabisang Komunikasyon and Effective Communication, and the integration of RHE competencies—assuring participants that RHE is already embedded in the curriculum and that integration guides and CEAP-led workshops will further support schools. Meanwhile, Director Vernice Quintana, Director III of the DepEd Private Education Office, presented the draft policy on Government Recognition of Private Basic Education Institutions offering the SHS Program, highlighting accountability, quality assurance, and the projected release of the policy by late January or early February 2026. The meeting also ended with the presentation of the newly-designed CEAP website, where relevant materials may be found regarding education, policy, and insights from CEAP’s special learning sessions.
The meeting served as a timely reminder that reforms in basic education require both fidelity to national standards and thoughtful flexibility in implementation. For schools offering basic education, the key lesson is the importance of aligning internal policies, assessment practices, and curriculum delivery with DepEd reforms while remaining rooted in each school’s vision and mission. Moving forward, CEAP hopes to continue strengthening collaboration with the Department of Education, institutionalizing support systems for member-schools, and accompanying them through certification, accreditation, and capacity-building initiatives—so that Catholic education may continue to offer quality, compliant, and values-based formation for every learner.