DepEd can't block enrollees who did not pass kindergarten

CEBU, Philippines - Education officials said the suggestion that only those students who have passed kindergarten are to be accepted to grade 1 is good, however, they cannot insist on this if parents will oppose.

Although the DepEd officials have encouraged parents to send their children to pre-school classes before enrolling them to Grade 1, school officials cannot turn them down for enrolment just for the reason that they did not pass kindergarten.

The Constitution provides for a compulsory and free elementary education, but the government failed to provide the necessary reading and other school materials for the students.

Department of Education regional director Recaredo Borgonia said the government still cannot provide free kindergarten classes to all public schools due to lack of funds and classrooms.

Borgonia said DepEd does not have enough funds to shoulder the construction of classrooms for the kindergarten classes, salaries of the teachers and the expenses for the needed books.

He also said it will be to a child’s advantage if they undergo early studies under competent teachers during their formative years.

Even Mayor Tomas Osmeña supported the suggestion of his education consultant Joy Augustus Young to make the children more prepared for elementary.

Young earlier said majority of those who failed to pass grade 1 did not take kindergarten classes, prompting him to suggest that the city not accept any child into grade 1 without going through kindergarten first. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP     (FREEMAN NEWS)