The Department of Education (DepEd) conducted a nationwide assessment over the weekend for nearly 24,000 educators seeking to become future school principals as part of efforts to strengthen leadership in public schools.
A total of 23,994 examinees took part in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Assessment for School Heads–Batch 2 Actual Assessment, which was simultaneously administered in 65 testing centers nationwide on May 17.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative supports the government’s push to improve the quality of basic education by developing stronger school leadership across the country.
“This assessment aims to strengthen school leadership capacity and expand the pool of qualified and eligible candidates for school principal positions,” Angara said.
He added that the program aligns with the administration’s “One School, One School Principal” reform agenda aimed at improving school management and educational outcomes.
According to DepEd, the assessment evaluates leadership readiness based on competencies under the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads and helps identify areas where aspiring principals may need further professional development.
The department said the results would guide future training and leadership interventions to improve school governance and institutional performance within the basic education sector.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the nationwide examination, DepEd deployed 132 Central Office monitors across all 17 regions to oversee testing operations and assist local testing centers.
Prior to the examination, the department also conducted a nationwide mock assessment on May 10 to help participants familiarize themselves with the digital testing platform and verify technical readiness.
DepEd said the sustained implementation of the assessment reflects the agency’s continuing commitment to improving school leadership, teaching quality, and learner outcomes nationwide.