Schools in Talisay ready for opening of classes

CEBU, Philippines - It’s all systems go for all schools in Talisay City.

“Teachers and school heads have already been reminded of some of the things we should do. And principals have also been told to coordinate with the police for the traffic situation this Tuesday. So, basically, it’s all systems go now,” said Talisay City Schools Division Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo.

Denuyo said he had met with school heads the past weeks to remind them of their tasks and of the Department of Education’s no-collection policy.

This policy, which was imposed by DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus in 2008, orders that no fees shall be collected from schoolchildren enrolling in pre-school up to Grade IV during the enrolment period and at any time during the school year.

Even those in the higher grades, any fees should not be made compulsory, according to the said order.

The DepEd officer, however, understands that this gets violated often, but nonetheless in the series of meetings he had with the teachers and principals the past weeks, they were reminded of it once again. Denuyo admitted that he has heard reports of schools in Talisay reportedly violating this policy.

No one was however brave enough to come out and complain about it, hence, Denuyo has challenge parents to report such incident to him.

“They can call me at my office. Because I could not just launch an investigation without a complainant. Kung naa lang, willing ko mokiha sa maestra or kung si kinsa pang ni-violate ani nga policy,” said Denuyo.

In Talisay City Central School, for one, there are still report cards that have not been released yet by teachers because of unpaid dues.

Denuyo has advised the parents to report the matter to his office, so he could act on it. And if parents are not brave enough to do it, “then they should not pay,” he said.

There are “administrative sanctions” for anyone caught violating this order, he said.

Meanwhile, with the impending classroom shortage because of the increasing student population this school year, the city is set to adopt the “double shift” program.

Denuyo said they are expecting another increase this school year. Last year, Talisay City Schools Division had 24,000 pupils in its 25 elementary schools, and 10,000 in all its 18 public high schools. This year, it is about to increase by 4-6 percent, said Denuyo. And with only four additional classrooms to meet the new enrollees, he said they may have to resort to the double-shift program.

The program will have two classes in one classroom, one during the morning: 6AM-12PM, and another on the afternoon: 12PM-6PM. This will only happen if one class is more than the allowed 60 students, he said. – Liv G. Campo   (FREEMAN NEWS)