AS THE new academic year began Monday, June 16, 2025, parents at Lahug and Zapatera Elementary Schools helped prepare their children for the first day while also raising concerns about school policies.
Mildred Birao, 45, a mother of a second-grade student at Lahug Elementary School, expressed her disagreement with the school's policy restricting parents to the school gate when picking up children.
She said the school should be more considerate, especially for lower elementary students who are still adjusting to classes.
Mai Mabaga, a daycare parent at Zapatera Elementary School, shared a similar concern. She told SunStar that daycare parents should be allowed to pick up their children directly from their classrooms. Young children, she explained, become playful and easily distracted when left in an open area while waiting.
Meanwhile, some Cebuano students admitted they feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about returning to class.
Zumaya Nichole Lagus and Sittie Asiah Solaiman, both Grade 8 students from Abellana National High School, told SunStar Cebu they are not fully ready for the first day and are anxious about meeting new people.
"Dili pajud kay murag kulba pajud kaayo ba kay mga new people," Lagus said.
Despite their apprehension, they plan to work hard this school year to achieve high grades and become honor students.
Jhaira Aguanta, a Grade 9 student, aims to adjust her body clock to her class schedule after the summer break.
Meanwhile, Lahug Elementary School faces classroom shortages which led to a double-shift schedule to accommodate its more than 5,000 students.
School Principal Madelin Tinapay described this as a "perennial problem." (Divine Grace Bendanillo, CNU Intern)