BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

For hundreds of students and teachers at Esteban Abada Elementary School, the first week of classes brought more than new lessons, it also brought doctors, nurses, and free medical checkups right to their school.

Through the newly launched CLASS+ (Clinics for Learners’ Access to School-health Services Plus) initiative, public school learners and teachers now have direct access to health services that were once difficult or costly to reach, anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to prioritize the health and well-being of Filipino students.

This week, the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), launched CLASS+ as a landmark effort to bring free medical consultations, basic laboratory tests, and preventive care to learners and school personnel across the country.

During the kickoff alone in Esteban Abada ES, over 400 students and teachers availed themselves of free services through PhilHealth’s Konsulta Package, with mobile registration booths assisting those not yet enrolled in the national health insurance program.

“Binibigyang-prioridad talaga ni Pangulong Marcos ang edukasyon at kalusugan ng mga mag- aaral,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “Ang maganda ngayon, magkatuwang ang DepEd, DOH, PhilHealth, at mga local government unit sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong pangkalusugan ngayong school opening week. Sama-sama ang lahat upang matiyak na naaalagaan ang kalusugan ng ating mga anak at mga guro.”

The CLASS+ framework transforms school clinics into access points for vital healthcare services under PhilHealth’s Konsulta Package. Through this setup, learners and school personnel can receive general health consultations, undergo diagnostic and basic laboratory tests, obtain free essential medicines, and access health counseling. When needed, patients may also be referred to partner hospitals or Konsulta providers for further care.

Moreover, CLASS+ builds upon DepEd’s Learners’ Health Assessment and Screening (LHAS) program under Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd, which is set to roll out in all public schools this school year. All Kindergarten to Grade 12 learners will undergo comprehensive health assessments—including general checkups, nutritional assessments, oral health checks, and mental health screenings—within the first few weeks of classes. These services are designed to detect health issues early and provide interventions before they affect learning.

Starting with Brigada Eskwela, schools began compiling a master list of learners and checking their PhilHealth registration status. Nutritional assessments for Kinder to Grade 6 learners— covering height, weight, and WHO-based nutritional status—are conducted from the start of classes through the third week and will guide school-based feeding programs.

General physical exams and oral health screening are set to begin in July, aligning with the OK sa DepEd – One Health Week. Mental health screening will follow, scheduled from August.

to December, using age-appropriate tools such as the Children and Adolescents Risk Screener (CARS) and Rapid HEEADSSS (Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression, and Safety) to support adolescents aged 10–19.

To sustain this momentum, DepEd and PhilHealth will also develop a School Health Package based on the health data generated from these assessments. The aim is to develop a tailor PhilHealth benefit package which will equip school clinics to deliver essential primary care services for learners and teachers, and guide future education and health planning.

With CLASS+ and LHAS now in full motion, the government affirms its commitment to a whole- of-government approach to education and public health.

More than policies or partnerships, the real impact is seen in the relief of a parent, the smile of a student after a vision test, and the knowledge that every Filipino learner is not only taught—but cared for.

*All Photos from Deped