The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday, June 15, said everything is in place for the return of around 27 million students nationwide to schools on Monday.
“All systems go, everything for the opening of our classes tomorrow (Monday), June 16,” DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi said.
Under DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s watch, the DepEd has reverted to the original June to March school calendar, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prevent learning loss due to successive missed school days caused by various weather disturbances.
The DepEd has delivered 33,539 laptops for teachers and 5,360 for non-teaching staff under the computerization program. It also purchased almost 26,000 smart TV packages with external hard drives to help improve learning delivery outcomes.
For textbook distribution, procurement for Grades 1, 4, and 7 books is already at a 99 percent level; books for Grades 2, 5, and 8 are nearly at a halfway mark; while procurement for the remaining grade levels will start next year, the DepEd said.
OPLAN ‘BALIK-ESKWELA’
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured that 37,740 cops will be deployed to secure both public and private schools nationwide under its “Oplan Balik-Eskwela” (Back to School).
Torre said 5,079 Police Assistance Desks near school premises will have 10,759 officers to assist students, parents and staff.
He said 10,687 officers will be assigned to mobile patrols and 16,366 to foot patrols, ensuring heightened police visibility in high-density areas and identified critical zones.
“The safety of our students, teachers and school staff remains our utmost priority. We want to ensure that our children return to school without fear or harm. Our police officers will be in every possible area to provide protection, guidance, and support,” Torre said in a news release.
Torre assured the public of the PNP’s readiness and full coordination with the DepEd, local government units and other partner agencies.
He called on the public to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious activity or safety concerns to the nearest police station or via the PNP’s 24/7 hotlines.
As part of pre-opening preparations, PNP personnel actively joined the annual voluntary effort “Brigada Eskwela,” assisting in the cleaning, repair and repainting of classrooms and school grounds.*PNA