AT least 130 newly hired teachers were deployed yesterday in Cebu City to augment the teaching force in highly populated public schools.
Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Danilo Gudelosao said among their priorities are Guadalupe Elementary School and Ermita Elementary School. Both are in immediate need of 10 additional teachers.
“We’re already facilitating their deployment. We also have enough teachers for hiring, but we’re just waiting for the schools to make their request,” he told reporters.
At present, there are around 5,500 teachers in the 126 public schools in the city.
Guadalupe Elementary School, one of the biggest schools in Cebu City, held emergency classes yesterday. The school has 25 sections for Grade 1 alone, while Grades 2 and 3 have 18 and 22 sections, respectively.
In Cebu City, DepEd is expecting at least 178,772 public school pupils and students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Gudelosao said this is two percent higher than the total number of students in the last school year, which was 175,267.
A ratio of one teacher per 40 students is needed in the city.
“But there’s still more teachers to come based on the teaching needs of the school. Our priority is to help the most populated schools,” Gudelosao said.
Aside from additional teaching force, Gudelosao said DepEd is also fast-tracking the construction of more classrooms and buildings.
There is an ongoing construction of 16 classrooms in Guadalupe Elementary School. Constructions works are also ongoing in Pit-os National High School and 20 other public schools.
Meanwhile, Councilor Dave Tumulak reminded motorists to clear pedestrian lanes, especially near schools, to avoid accidents. Tumulak, head of the committee on peace and order, also ordered a City team to clear vendors and other obstructions on sidewalks.
“We’re repainting and patching pedestrian lanes. Motorists should observe pedestrian crossings or they will have to pay a fine of P1,000,” he said.
The City is prioritizing the repair of pedestrian lanes near Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School, Inayawan Elementary School, Tisa Elementary School and Punta Princesa Elementary School.