Calbayog schools to welcome 50,000 learners on Monday

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, June 11 (PNA) – Up to 50,000 students in this city are expected to report to schools on the first day of classes on Monday, higher by almost 5,000 from last year’s enrollment, the Department of Education (DepEd) here said.

City schools superintendent Raul Agban said that the number of students returning to schools was expected to increase with the start of kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (K-12) curriculum full implementation.

Given the support of stakeholders during the weeklong Brigada Eskwela, the 156 elementary, 26 junior high schools and 15 senior high schools are now ready in welcoming the students.

Agban assured that despite classroom and furniture shortage problems, regular classes would go on with the contingency plans in placed.

The DepEd official said that for this year, three schools would open their doors to Grade 7 learners. These are campuses in Lonoy, San Jose and Acedillo villages.

Another school was also added to the list - the Calbayog Arts and Design School of Eastern Visayas, the stand-alone school which would offer arts and design track for the senior high school enrollees in the region.

DepEd Calbayog hired additional 29 elementary teachers, six junior high school teachers and 79 senior high school instructors.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police is now on alert to ensure the security of students and teachers.

Chief Insp. Elmer Vergara, city police chief, said that cops were ready for deployment on Monday.

According to him, police help desks will be installed near schools. Police visibility will likewise be strengthened, and patrolling near schools will also be enforced. (PNA)

RMA/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG–ALLEGADO/EGR