Task force launched to ensure smooth opening of classes

MANILA, Philippines — Various government agencies and private sector organizations yesterday launched an interagency task force to ensure the smooth opening of classes next week.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones led the formal launch of Oplan Balik Eskwela and the reactivation of the public assistance command center, which will handle public concerns related to the opening of classes.

“Our concept of education is that it is not just the responsibility of the Department of Education (DepEd),” Briones said in Filipino.

“All of our government agencies, including the private sector, are working together in preparing for the return of our students to schools,” she added.

In addition to the DepEd, the interagency task force includes the Departments of Energy; Interior and Local Government; Health; National Defense; Public Works and Highways, Social Welfare and Development; and Trade and Industry.

Also included are the Manila Electric Co., Maynilad, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and Philippine National Police.

Representatives from these agencies presented their respective action plans in relation to the opening of classes.

The PNP said it would deploy an estimated 150,000 personnel nationwide to ensure the safety of the students, teachers and other stakeholders.

The DTI, meanwhile, said it is monitoring prices of school supplies and conducting Diskwento Caravans in various parts of the country.

PAGASA said it would issue regular weather bulletins and safety precautions as well as remind local officials of protocols on suspension of classes in areas without storm warning signals but are experiencing heavy rainfall.

The DPWH said it has conducted maintenance activities inside and within the vicinities of schools, including repainting of pedestrian lanes and de-clogging activities.

Both Maynilad and Meralco also ensured adequate water and electricity supply in the areas that they service.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said it would work on addressing the heavy traffic expected in areas near schools when classes resume next week.

It added that its Balik Eskwela program will focus on increasing awareness on smoke-free campuses and protecting the youth from the dangers of smoking. 

?Classrooms, teachers

The DepEd said it expects the DPWH to turn over around 66,000 new classrooms this year.

It also targets to hire some 33,000 new teachers within the next school year.

Education Undersecretary for operations Jesus Mateo clarified that the target number of new classrooms and teachers are not “backlogs” but merely requirements to lower the classroom- and teacher-to-student ratio in public schools.

Earlier data from the department showed that the teacher-to-student ratio has already improved to 1:31 for elementary pupils and 1:25 for high school students.

Meanwhile, the average classroom-to-student ratio is 1:33 for elementary and 1:36 for high school.

Mateo said the additional classroom and teacher requirements set by the agency aims to further lower the ratio and improve the quality of education.

For its part, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said it has monitored cases across 15 regions where schools still face congestion problems.

It cited cases of classes reaching up to 70 students as well as classes being held in makeshift classrooms.

“Those struck by Yolanda in Region VIII have been holding all their classes in plywood classrooms since 2014, with walls that are too short it hardly touches the uncemented ground. In these settings, the heat is unbearable on sunny days, then they have to deal with leaking roofs when it’s rainy,” ACT secretary general Raymond Basilio said.

Basilio also reiterated the call for salary increase for teachers, saying they are among the lowest paid professionals in the country.