First day of school described as ‘peaceful’

COMMUNITY OUTREACH. During a visit to the Abellana National School, Police Regional Office 7 Director Debold Sinas takes time out from checking security to chat with students and pose for souvenir photos. (SunStar photo / Arnold Bustamante)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH. During a visit to the Abellana National School, Police Regional Office 7 Director Debold Sinas takes time out from checking security to chat with students and pose for souvenir photos. (SunStar photo / Arnold Bustamante)

THE opening of classes in Cebu City last Monday, June 3, 2019, encountered few glitches.

But City Schools Division Superintendent Bianito Dagatan said two buildings for high school students in the City Central School’s compound remain unfinished, forcing teachers to hold classes in tents.

He said he would like to solve the problem within this month, pointing out that construction started in 2016 yet.

One of the buildings, which has eight classrooms, still lacks paint, electricity, water and jalousie windows.

The other building, which holds 12 classrooms, is far from finished, Dagatan said.

To address this issue, students were divided into three sessions—morning, afternoon and night classes. Others were housed in makeshift classrooms.

Dagatan said he called the Department of Public Works and Highways’ engineering office and requested its officials to fast-track the completion of the eight-classroom building.

He said a 16-classroom building inside the Mabolo Elementary School’s compound remains unfinished, but the school has several classrooms that can accommodate students.

At the Barrio Luz Elementary School, a school building ready for occupancy could not accommodate pupils right after because the contractor failed to turn over the keys. The problem was solved on the same day.

According to Dagatan’s estimates, 98 percent of kindergarten, elementary and high school students showed up for the first day of classes.

He said several schools still encountered late enrollment. Most of the late enrollees were children with no credentials or transferees from private schools.

The Department of Education will accept late enrollees until the end of June or not more than 40 days from the opening of classes.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Debold Sinas described the opening of classes as peaceful.

Sinas made a stop at the Abellana National School (ANS) where police personnel had conducted some repairs during the Brigada Eskwela last week.

He said they still had to fix the school’s bathrooms.

Sinas also visited the police assistance desk inside the school.

While there, the police official spoke with some students. A boy scout from Barangay Kamputhaw caught his attention. Richman Cabañero, 15, was wearing an old set of uniform. Sinas ordered his staff to buy the boy a new one.

ANS principal Emelita Lanaria thanked Sinas for the police’s help.

She said they did not encounter major problems last Monday.

However, teachers had to deal with some irate parents who did not find their children’s names on the enrollment list.

Lanaria vowed to settle the matter, saying those who enrolled will be assigned to their sections. She formed a special team of teachers to guide parents to the classrooms of their children.

The police official has ordered all the units under PRO 7 to continue manning the assistance desks in big schools, especially where gangs are present.

Sinas also wants his personnel to address heavy traffic in areas close to schools. (From PAC, AYB of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)

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