THE Department of Education (DepEd) 7 is anticipating around 1.5 to 1.6 million enrollees for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
With more than a week left before the opening of classes set on June 16, DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez called on parents and guardians to enroll their children ahead of the scheduled Oplan Balik Eskwela.
Jimenez said although schools still accept students who enroll on the first day of classes, this is strongly discouraged.
Parents and guardians are urged to enroll students before the start of classes to avoid any disruption in the preparations of their respective schools.
Jimenez said the DepEd 7 has accepted 500,000 students currently enrolled in the early enrollment program, but has a goal of at least 1.5 million enrollees, which is lower than last year’s figure of 2.4 million enrollees.
This year’s figure excludes school divisions from the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor following the creation of the Negros Island Region.
Security
The Police Regional Office 7 has deployed 1,510 personnel in Central Visayas for Balik Eskwela, which will assist students, parents, teachers and school officials to ensure a peaceful and orderly opening of classes.
Jimenez said significant classroom shortages remain a concern, with over 3,000 classrooms needed in Cebu alone.
The combined deficit for Cebu and Bohol is 5,000 classrooms.
He explained that the number of classrooms required would depend on enrollment figures, with an ideal ratio of one teacher per 40 students in each classroom.
The lack of classrooms has led to class shifting. The number of teachers needed will be determined next week.
Jimenez said the education secretary, along with DepEd’s Strategic Planning Management, are pursuing Public-Private Partnerships to build classrooms.
This includes collaborations with private firms and nongovernment organizations for donations of infrastructure projects.
Jimenez said local government units and other firms have also been approached for donations.
All enrolled students will be accommodated despite the lack of classrooms, aligning with government’s “no student left behind” policy.
Mpox
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) will issue a joint memorandum circular with DepEd to prevent the spread of Monkeypox (Mpox) in public and private schools across the country.
The guidelines will center on ensuring water and adequate sanitary facilities within the schools.
It will also guide local school officials to strictly implement protocols, such as mandatory isolation for suspected Mpox cases. Symptoms of the contagious disease can show up within two to four weeks. Isolation may extend up to 21 days.
According to Jimenez, students exhibiting symptoms will be referred to medical experts and contact tracing will be conducted. The DepEd is waiting for specific guidelines for schools from the DOH.
The standing policy of the DepEd is for local school officials to immediately shift to modular, blended, or distance learning if necessary, in times of medical emergencies. / EHP