Shortage of classroom in NCR, Calabarzon - DepEd
By Creselda Canda - Lopez
"Meron po talaga tayong shortage ngayon, especially in Calabarzon area and Metro Manila, kasi may mga schools na reported na mga 68 students pa per classroom," Department of Education (DepEd) spokesman Atty. Michael Poa said two weeks before School Year 2022-2023 officially begins, there is still shortage of classrooms in National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon due to high number of students. In a press conference Poa said they are eyeing to implement double or triple shifts and blended learning to address overcrowding of students in each classroom.
"We really have shortage of classrooms now, especially in Calabarzon area and Metro Manila, because there are schools that still have 68 students per classroom… hopefully there will only be two shifts…if it's really not possible, then there will be three…this is to avoid overcrowding and so children will still have physical distancing…and then of course, there's always option of blended learning," he stressed.
Poa also reiterated their plan to build temporary learning spaces in disaster-hit areas and said they are coordinating now with local government units (LGUs) to look for available spaces like covered courts, where classes could be conducted.
He also announced they will launch on August 15 DepEd's Oplan Balik Eskwela Command Center to ensure "smooth" resumption of face-to-face classes starting August 22.
"The intention is to have command center for...maybe we will also ask for help from the media, if you notice any problems, concerns, or issues during opening of classes, you can call us immediately so that DepEd can address them," he said.
Poa said total of 18.6 million students in private and public schools nationwide have enrolled for upcoming school year.
He earlier said DepEd is expecting 28.6 million enrollees for upcoming school year.
In the same press conference, Atty. Reynold Munsayac, spokesman of Vice President Sara Carpio, reported as of Monday, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has already processed total of P43,303,489.70 in its medical and burial assistance program since July 1.
Some P12 million has also been released to qualified beneficiaries from all OVP satellite offices and its NCR office.
The OVP's "Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) - Libreng Sakay" has also served total of 7,764 passengers from August 3 to August 8.
Munsayac said two buses that pass through EDSA Bus Carousel route recorded most number of passengers thus far with 3,528 on the NCR Bus 1, and 3,089 on NCR Bus 2.
"If you think about it, many passengers have saved lot when going to work because instead of spending on fare, they can use it for other important things," he said.
A total of five buses were initially allocated for this program two of which were deployed in Metro Manila, and one each in Davao City, Cebu, and Bacolod.
Almost 18 million students have enrolled two weeks before opening of School Year 2022–2023, DepEd reported total of 17,900,833 students have registered for incoming school year since start of enrollment period on July 25.
The highest numbers of enrollees have been monitored in Region IV-A with 2,604,227; Region III with 2,046,017; and Metro Manila with 2,020,134.
Data from DepEd's Learner Information System showed 8,235,937 were elementary students; 5,789,747 were junior high school students; 2,689,137 were senior high school students; and 1,186,012 were enrolled at kindergarten level.
The Education Department reminded public the last day for enrollment will be on August 22, pursuant to DepEd Order 35, which sets enrollment timeline.
Students may enroll in-person, remotely, or through drop box forms. Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners are also allowed to enroll physically or online.
The DepEd also urged public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards in order to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Classes for basic education will start on August 22 and will end on July 7, 2023, the DepEd previously announced.
Up until October, blended learning schedules and fully online education will be permitted, but by November 2, all public and private schools in the country should have transitioned to five days of in-person classes
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