In public schools in Central Visayas: Over 1.7 million back to school today

CEBU, Philippines —  Up to 1,790,496 public school students in Central Visayas will be back in school today, October 5, in a “No face-to-face classes” setting.

Department of Education (DepEd)-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said DepEd’s 19 divisions in the region have long been ready for classes, even the schools in remote areas.

“We are ready. In fact, we have been long ready because supposed to be, classes will start on August 24,” he said.

“Our number of enrollees in public schools is already 122 percent. Ni-sobra na gyud ta sa atong target nga 80 percent number of enrollees this year from our number of enrollees last year,” Jimenez said.

(Our number of enrollees in public schools is already 122 percent. We have gone beyond our target of 80 percent from the number of enrollees last year.)

Private schools, meanwhile, have 181,337 enrollees, which is below the 320,000 target.

Jimenez said around 24,000 students from private schools have transferred to public school for this school year.

Breakdown

Of the 1,790,496 enrolled in public schools, 134,462 are in kindergarten; 882,298 are in elementary; 563,522 are in junior high school; 176,275 are in senior high school; 3,159 are learners with disabilities (SPED); and 30,780 are in the alternative learning system.

For private schools, 6,177 are in kindergarten; 36,109 are in elementary; 74,962 are in junior high school; and 62,955 are in senior high school.

State universities and local universities and colleges have 1,750 enrollees.

Jimenez said the number of senior high school students in public schools has ballooned as many have chosen to stay in the school where they finished junior high school, instead of enrolling at universities.

Private Schools

Private schools have started classes in August.

Jimenez said 900 of the 1,019 private schools in Central Visayas have been issued special permits to operate.

Twenty-five private schools have closed temporarily while one private school has closed permanently. Lack of enrollees and difficulty in complying with stringent health and safety protocols have been the main reasons for these schools’ decision.

Most of those that have closed temporarily are in Cebu, majority of which are offering pre-school education.

Learning must continue

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said learning must continue even with the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“No matter what happens, learning must continue and education cannot wait. We cannot afford to miss six months to one year of their learning process because the damage will be incalculable,” Briones said.

For this school year, DepEd-7 has a budget of around P800 million coming from the national government.

Despite doubts on DepEd’s readiness in educating in the new normal, Briones said up to 24 million have already enrolled nationwide.

Jimenez made a special mention to the teachers who have worked painstakingly to print modules and other learning modalities just to deliver their lessons to students.

He thanked the students’ parents, guardians, and local government units for their support and commitment to have the students schooled at home.

“Education must continue as it is very important. What we need now is unity. We are in this together!” Jimenez said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros also expressed her appreciation to the teachers.

“Bago pa man magbukas ang klase, kahanga-hanga na ang ipinakita nilang pagsisikap at pagsasakripisyo upang matugunan ang 'new modes of learning' (Even before classes opened, the sacrifice and dedication they have shown to deliver the new modes of learning is commendable). That is why we must ensure that our teachers are protected so that learning continues smoothly and no student is left behind,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

To protect teachers, she said government must have funds for their medical benefits should they get sick and must supplement the allocation for internet connectivity and in printing educational materials. She also said teachers must be provided with computers for distance education and not subject them to a pay later scheme.

Jimenez, meanwhile, appealed to donors to channel their donations directly to the schools instead of giving them straight to the teachers.

“This is to avoid accusations that teachers are begging. Our teachers are not beggars,” he said. — Caecent Noot-Magsumbol, JMO