Only 48 percent of the schools under the Negros Occidental Schools Division are ready for the opening of classes so far, Schools Division Superintendent Marsette Sabbaluca said Wednesday, July 13.
But she assured that preparations are being made so that all schools will be ready for the opening of classes on August 22.
There are 252 of 581 public schools, and 10 of 117 private schools ready for the opening of classes, data as of July 12 showed, Sabbaluca added.
Municipalities that are 100 percent ready for the opening of classes are EB Magalona, Don Salvador Benedicto, Pontevedra and Valladolid, she said.
Her data does not include the City Schools Divisions, she said.
They are focusing on the repair of classrooms hit by typhoon “Odette” and the campaign for students to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Sabbaluca said.
The Provincial School Board has allocated P30 million and they are still looking for other sources of funds, she added.
She said while COVID-19 vaccination is not a requirement for students to return to school, it is preferred that they get vaccinated for their own protection and that of their classmates.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has provided a school safety assessment tool to ensure when the students return in August their schools are safe and ready, Sabbaluca said.
The DepEd said 1,356 schools in Western Visayas conducted limited in-person classes during the 2021-20202 school year.
The DepEd said that mandatory in-person classes for all public and private schools nationwide will start by November 2, to ensure educational recovery in the country.
Schools will be given options of in-person, blended, or full-distance learning only until October 31, the DepEd said.*