School opening set on June 4, 2018

MANILA, Philippines — Classes in public elementary and high schools nationwide will begin on June 4, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced yesterday.

Education officials led by Secretary Leonor Briones will officially activate on Monday the department’s Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE), an annual initiative that aims to ensure peaceful and orderly opening of classes in public schools.

“The conduct of OBE will ensure that all our learners are properly enrolled and able to attend school on the first day of classes by addressing problems, queries and other concerns commonly encountered by our stakeholders at the start of the school year,” said Briones.

An information and action center will be operational at the DepEd central office in Pasig City from May 21 to June 8 to address problems and complaints of students, parents and school officials during school opening.

Regional and division offices are encouraged to set up a command center to receive and respond to concerns directly from the ground.

DepEd said information officers were trained to address questions on enrollment, department’s learning information system, Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, Philippine Educational Placement Test, K-12 program, child-protection policy and hiring of teachers, among others.

“We are also working closely with our partners to ensure the delivery of quality, accessible, relevant and liberating basic education,” said Briones, referring to the inter-agency task force created to assist DepEd in the opening of classes. 

The task force is composed of the departments of energy, interior and local government, health, national defense, public works and highways, social welfare and development and trade and industry.

Also part of the task force are the Manila Electric Co., Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and Philippine National Police.

Briones is scheduled to lead the nationwide kick-off of Brigada Eskwela in General Santos City on May 29.

Brigada Eskwela is an annual initiative of DepEd to bring together various education stakeholders to prepare schools for the opening of classes.