By Stephanie Sevillano
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| SAFE SCHOOLS. A teacher secures temperature checks on learners for the first day of face-to-face classes at the Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School in Paco, Manila, on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022). Wearing face masks was implemented among learners, teaching, and non-teaching personnel and also maintaining safe spaces against the Covid-19 threat. (PNA photo: Alfred Frias) |
MANILA – The first day of face-to-face classes nationwide is generally peaceful and orderly so far, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday.
In a Viber message, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said there were no
major incidents reported to them as of Monday morning.
“As 9:20 a.m. po, base po sa mga updates ng ating mga regional
directors, maayos at mapayapa po ang pagbabalik eskwela ng ating mga learners. Wala
pa pong nakakarating sa amin na untoward incidents. Patuloy po kaming
naka-monitor sa ating mga paaralan (As 9:20 a.m., based on the
updates of regional directors, the school reopening is orderly and peaceful for
our learners. We haven’t received reports of any untoward incidents. We are
continuously monitoring our schools),” he said.
The DepEd made the statement following their long preparation for the
gradual transition to face-to-face learning to ensure the safe return of
learners after two years due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Schools that started their in-person setup have implemented safety
guidelines including the mandatory wearing of face masks, temperature checks,
and proper sanitation.
Likewise, police assistance desks were also on posts near school
vicinities to maintain security on educational premises.
The Oplan Balik Eskwela Command Center also received 26 calls with most
concerns related to school policy and operations; while the top query of some
guardians was about the issuance of a Form 138 photocopy even with an
outstanding balance in private schools.
Enrollment turnout
As of Monday, the DepEd has recorded 28,035,042 enrolled learners
nationwide, which is a slight shortfall from their targeted 28.6 million
enrollees.
Poa, however, said parents can still register their children, who will
be eventually required to go on a face-to-face learning setup come November 2.
“We are still encouraging those who haven't enrolled to enroll as soon
as possible. It also bears emphasizing that although we haven't met our
projected figures. The enrolled learners this year is already 101 percent of
our figure from last school year's enrollment,” he told the Philippine News
Agency in a text message.
This year’s over 28 million enrollees have over 4 million
pre-registered while the remaining more than 23 million secured their
registration during the official enrollment period.
The DepEd insisted this turnout is higher than the previous official
enrollment tally hitting 27,560,661.
The DepEd took a firm stance on the gradual transition to face-to-face
learning to address the “learning loss” which happened in distance learning
during the pandemic. (PNA)
