Surprising turnout

Jocelyn Lansangan Yadao

BECAUSE of the COVID-19 situation, educators were afraid that the learning of millions of students will be affected – and that no one will enroll for this school year!

But surprisingly, the Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded a total of 5,086,600 public school learners who enrolled in the first week for School Year 2020-2021.

According to records, from 500,000 on the first day, enrollment surged to 3.7 million on the second day, as the joint implementation of Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) and Brigada Eskwela (BE) continues to roll out.

In total, DepEd has registered a total of 5,204,949 learners nationwide for both public and private schools at the end of first week of June.

The virtual enrollment, conducted only through phone or online platforms, was implemented as physical activities were still prohibited inside school premises to ensure safety of learners, parents and teachers.

All learners who cannot enroll using any remote method will be allowed in the last two weeks of June to physically enroll, in strict compliance of physical distancing and health standards, and in coordination with the local government units.

This will be a totally whole new experience for everyone, teachers and students alike. The coronavirus has changed a lot of things, and it will continue to make changes to the education of the children, if the virus continues to spread.

So let’s do our part and observe strict health protocols issued by the DepEd and the Department of Health and keep safe and healthy.

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The author is Teacher III at Padapada National High School, Padapada Sta.

Ignacia Tarlac