Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the department already took necessary steps to prepare all public elementary pupils and high-school students all over the country.
“We are optimistic that all our preparations are in place and are looking forward to a smooth opening of classes,” Luistro said.
“Our measures are not only geared toward the opening of classes but we also enjoin parents to send their children to school,” Luistro said.
He added that the DepEd’s Balik Eskwela partners also implemented projects that support the objectives of the DepEd.
The DepEd chief noted that nationwide, they are expecting a total enrollment of 25.7 million students, 22.05 million, or 86 percent, of whom are in public schools and an estimated 3.65 million are in private schools.
Of the total enrollees, 7.73 million are in secondary, with 5.85 million in public schools and 1.88 million in private schools; and 15.47 million are elementary, with 14.25 million in public schools and 1.22 million in private schools.
The department is also anticipating 1.93 million kindergarten pupils who will have their first taste of education under the universal kindergarten program during the school year and summer.
Luistro also emphasized the department’s efforts to meet the “Education for All” goal by improving the participation rate among students.
The DepEd is reminding the parents and school administrators that basic public education is free and that no collection should be done in the entire month of June and July, based on DepEd Order 41, series of 2011.
“The only way to achieve higher outcomes in these preparations is to engage all sectors of society. The DepEd is very grateful for the overwhelming support of our stakeholders to our programs,” Luistro added.
The recently concluded Brigada Eskwela mobilized the local communities and government units, private sector and nongovernment organizations in the repair and construction of school buildings.
On the other hand, it has also organized its Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) campaign, which established a working tie-up with various school security forces to ensure the safety of students returning to schools for school year 2011-12.
The OBE-Information and Action Center Task Force at the DepEd Central Office is set to address common problems encountered during school opening, provide information and coordinate with government agencies, communities and other educational stakeholders.
“With all of these preparations, we can be assured that no student will skip the first day of the school year. I urge parents, teachers and the entire community to actively participate and ensure that our children are in school for the opening of classes,” added Luistro.
OBE is an inter-agency task force composed of the departments of Health, Trade and Industry, Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local Government, Transportation and Communication, and National Defense, along with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical and Scientific Administration, Metro Manila Development Authority, Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System with its concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water, and the Manila Electric Co.
