20.9M students head to schools

CEBU, Philippines - All over the country almost 21 million public preschool, elementary and high school students will return to school today even as the government struggles to address classroom congestion, particularly in Metro Manila.

The Department of Education expects this year’s enrollment to reach 20.9 million, of which 1.79 million are kindergarten pupils; 13.3 million in elementary and 5.8 million in high school.

The PNP distributed flyers titled “Balik Eskwela 2014” providing crime prevention tips and safety reminders for parents and students.

The PNP is putting on its concern on incidents of bullying and street crimes.

Malacañang has directed the PNP to ensure the safety of students in time for today’s resumption of classes in public schools nationwide, and ensure the safety of students.

“We are calling on the general public to help ensure the safety of everyone. Let us help each other and coordinate with the authorities so that the resumption of classes will be as peaceful and as smooth as possible,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima directed all police units nationwide to be on alert to ensure orderly and peaceful opening of classes as he instructed police commanders to closely coordinate with the local government units and the DepEd.

Central Visayas

In Region 7, DepEd-7 expects 1.6 million pupils and students to troop to the different elementary and secondary schools in the region for the opening of classes today.

DepEd-7 Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon said the exact figures of the different provinces will be released later this week as 19 schools division superintendents have yet to submit their final list of students.

“Ang ato lang tan-awon lang sad is the report from the superintendents of the divisions kung unsa’y influx sa mga bata sa private schools kun pila sila,” she said.

Dulangon said the region has 3,425 new teachers aside from the existing 44,000 teachers.

She said any lack in teachers will be identified today as the division superintendents will report to the regional education department the number of students and existing teachers in a certain school.

It was earlier reported that Dulangon is considering the possibility of the implementation of a three-day school week scheme in calamity-stricken areas in the region to address the problem of lack of classrooms and schools that are highly congested.

However, she said that classes in areas badly affected by super typhoon Yolanda and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake will still push through today.

Based on data from DepEd, 1,973 classrooms in Cebu Province were slightly damaged while 366 others incurred major damage due to the earthquake and the typhoon.

There are 11,491 elementary schools and 630 secondary schools in the Cebu 4th district where damage was more prominent.

She assured that classrooms that were damaged last year have been repaired and prepared for the start of classes.

As to the number of teachers, she said the ideal student-teacher ratio is 1:45.

“Mao gyod na ang ideal ratio pero sa gagmay pwede ra ang 1:30,” she said, adding that it is not practiced in the real situation.

Dulangon advised teachers to look beautiful today and let the children feel that they are warmly welcomed.

“Teachers should look after the welfare of the children nga ilang health will not be put them at risk of getting sick kay rainy day is coming ra ba,” she said.