By No, Grade 13 Is Not Happening: DepEd Warns Public Against Fake Announcement
The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued a public warning against a fake announcement spreading on Facebook, which falsely claims that a new Grade 13 will be added to the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum starting School Year 2025–2026.
Fake Graphic Uses Official Logos of CHED and DepEd
The misleading graphic that has been widely shared online features the official logos of both the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd)—a tactic often used to make fake news look legitimate.
The image includes the text:
“ANNOUNCEMENT: additional 1 year sa Senior Highschool – GRADE 13 – FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2025–2026”
It even prompts viewers to “click link for details,” though no official source is provided.
DepEd Confirms: This Is Fake News
In response, DepEd posted an official statement on their verified social media page:
⚠️ “Fake news ang kumakalat na Facebook post tungkol sa umano’y dagdag na Grade 13 sa Senior High School para sa SY 2025–2026.”
“Muling pinaaalalahanan ng DepEd ang publiko na mag-ingat at maging mapanuri laban sa misinformation.”
This confirms that no new grade level is being added to the Philippine basic education curriculum, and the viral post is entirely false.
Why This Matters
Adding a new grade level would require official policy changes, public consultation, and announcements through proper government channels—none of which have happened. The spread of such disinformation can cause unnecessary panic among students, parents, and educators.
DepEd’s Advice: Follow Only Official Channels
To avoid falling for fake news, the public is advised to rely only on trusted and verified DepEd sources:
Any verified updates about the K-12 program or education policy will be released through these official platforms.
Conclusion
The circulating announcement about a supposed Grade 13 is fake news, and the use of official CHED and DepEd logos in the image is unauthorized and misleading.
Let’s all do our part to fight misinformation: verify before sharing, and always consult official sources.
