DepEd says it’s learned to address lack of classrooms
PRO 7 expecting an assessment report to determine if its search and rescue personnel are ready for rainy season Safety and security of students were top priorities during the first day of classes in public schools in the metro
The first day of classes in Cebu’s public schools proceeded without incident, amid tighter security from the police, especially in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue. Education department officials faced some familiar challenges like late enrollees and the lack of classrooms, but assured they were ready to address the situation.
The opening of classes yesterday was generally peaceful even though it rained, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 noted.
PRO 7 Director Noli Taliño also directed provincial and city directors in Central Visayas to conduct an inventory of equipment for their search and rescue (SAR) personnel.
"The reports on the Balik Eskwela are all normal and peaceful," Taliño said.
He said that he's expecting SAR personnel to submit an assessment report if they are ready for the rainy season.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Joel Doria, while visiting the Abellana National High School, said that there were a lot of people because enrollees continued to pour in and parents accompanied their children inside classrooms.
"We will let our policemen stay longer in our schools here in Cebu City. There's a security concern because some lawless elements might blend in with the influx of people and harm our students," Doria said.
The CCPO has more than 90 schools in its areas of responsibility.
The safety and security of students were the top priorities of the Mandaue City Government and the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) yesterday.
The MCPO deployed 138 police officers in all elementary and secondary schools.
In a press conference, Supt. Jimmy Aguisanda, deputy city director for operations, said each school has two police officers to monitor the vicinity during the start of classes and when children are released. They will continue to be there for a couple of weeks.
“Everything went well during the opening of classes… So far there was no untoward incident,” said Aguisanda.
MCPO distributed leaflets with contact numbers of police offices and “Balik Eskwela” safety tips. MCPO personnel also entertained students by bringing SPO1 Mandaue, a mascot, to the Mandaue City Central School.
Edgar Espina, administrative officer of Mandaue City Division, said their concern was late enrollees.
Espina said that 10 percent of the 60,000 students in the last school year have yet to enrol.
Two evacuees from Marawi City have also enrolled at the Canduman Elementary School yesterday, he said.
“For the classrooms, we have no problem so far. However, some classrooms for senior high school are still under construction,” said Espina.
Mandaue has 27 public elementary and 23 secondary schools.
For security, education officials instructed principals that the names of visitors must be logged and parents who enter schools must have an adviser's pass.
Espina also saw the need to equip schools with closed-circuit television cameras.
As for traffic, Glenn Antigua, chief for operations of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, said the transport strike organized by Piston had no effect on traffic.