School opening in Central Visayas successful - DepEd-7

Local

SCHOOLS across Central Visayas managed to resume classes successfully on Monday, June 16, even as they faced expected hurdles such as late enrollment, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of teachers and furniture.

Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, regional director of the Department of Education-Central Visayas (DepEd-7) said that the successful school opening was a collective effort involving teachers, school heads, division and regional offices, and the broader community.

In an interview on Tuesday, June 17, Salustiano also acknowledged the support of the media in informing the public and spreading important reminders related to school protocols.

He said that based on his visits across various schools, many of the same recurring challenges remain, including learners enrolling late.

He urged school officials to orient parents and guardians about the importance of timely enrollment to avoid funding issues.

"If you enroll your students during the first day of classes, there is a possibility that their enrollment will not be counted in the budget," he said.

"You have to make sure that you have clear data. That is the basis of the budget for classrooms, teachers, and the MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses)," he added.

Jimenez also shared that as of 7 p.m. Monday, the region recorded 1,485,000 learners from eight divisions, excluding Siquijor and Negros Oriental as these provinces are now part of the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR).

The agency’s target enrollment for the school year is about 1.66 million, comparable to last year’s registration. He said schools are still accepting enrollees.

He warned that learners who miss more than 20 percent of classes could be marked as dropouts, but emphasized that they will be guided toward non-formal education programs such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Jimenez acknowledged that the shortage of classrooms, teachers, and furniture continues to be the most persistent problem every year.

School officials are expected to implement existing strategies outlined in their School Improvement Plans (SIP), including shifting class schedules or increasing the number of students per classroom when needed.

He cited the case of Don Vicente Ramos Elementary School in Cebu City, which lacks classrooms despite having available land.

The matter has reportedly been referred to the DepEd Central Office, but funding constraints remain an issue. New school buildings may be planned, though in some cases there is still no budget for chairs and other essential furniture.

Jimenez said the situation requires ongoing coordination and flexibility, adding, “We will continue to support each other. We will do this, we will do that.”

Meanwhile, the opening of classes in public schools across Cebu City was peaceful and orderly, with no incidents reported.

According to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), personnel were deployed as early as dawn to various campuses to enforce heightened security measures on the first day of school.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations of CCPO, said the city police received no reports of crime-related incidents from morning until noon.

She attributed the smooth conduct of the school opening to the proactive presence of officers stationed outside schools.

Authorities reminded the public to report any criminal activity through the PNP hotline 911, assuring quick response within minutes of a verified call.

Police stations also coordinated with school administrators to prevent the entry of disruptive individuals and emphasized that students and parents may approach officers at any time for immediate help.(MyTVCebu)