READINESS OF SCHOOLS

FLORITA A. GARCIA

It was all systems go for the start of another school year last June 4, 2018.

The DepEd has welcomed, with utmost optimism, 27.7 million learners from all over the country. Some 27,757,546 Kindergarten to Grade 12 learners were projected to troop to public and private schools, including local and state universities and colleges in the opening of classes.

Prior to the opening, the DepEd conducted a nationwide inventory and assessment of the readiness of public schools in terms of six basic education inputs or variables: teachers, classrooms, seats, toilets, and availability of water and electricity.

The said assessment allowed DepEd to prioritize interventions for schools that need support in achieving the ideal ratios of 1:40 for teachers and classrooms; 1:50 for toilets, and 1:1 for seats.

Meanwhile, the DepEd set in motion its flagship programs and projects to ensure that the learners will be accommodated in schools with a child-friendly, gendersensitive, safe, and motivating environment.

Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week, which ran from May 28 to June 2, 2018 with the theme, “Pagkakaisa para sa Handa, Ligtas, at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan,” mobilized the communities and various sectors of the society to prepare the schools’physical facilities, and ensure the safety and preparedness of learners and personnel during emergencies.

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The author is Secondary School Teacher III at San Vicente-San Francisco National High School, Macabebe, Pampanga