TACLOBAN CITY- More than 1.13 million students from Eastern Visayas have been enlisted for this school year.
This was announced by the regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) through its information officer, Jasmin Calzita.
The current 1.13 million enrollees represent around 86 percent compared to last school year’s enrollment of 1.31 million, Calzita said, adding that they project more students to be enrolled as the opening of classes draw near.
“We cannot refuse to accept students,”she said.
This year’s school term is to start on August 24.
“There are still parents who remain undecided. I guess the number of enrollees will still increase but we are not sure if we can exceed (last school year’s enrollment).We are just ready to provide an opportunity to all learners for them to be enrolled,” Calzita said.
The enrollment for this school year officially ended on July 15 but due to the current health pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are still parents who appear to be hesitant in enrolling their children.
The DepEd, in answer to the COVID-19 pandemic, is using a blended method of learning or through modules or online.
Of the current 1.13 million students who have enrolled so far, 77,873 are in Kindergarten; 536,116 of them are in the elementary and 496,794 in the senior high. About 21,998 have also enrolled at the ALS or alternative learning system.
Gary Vacunawa, school principal of Cabacungan National High School in Allen town, Northern Samar, said that he expects his enrollment to increase in this school year.
In fact, as of Monday (July 20), he already have 350 enrollees which is already higher compare to last school year of 287.
According to Vacunawa, the increase of their enrollment was the increase of transferees who were enrolled in other schools.
“This is to avoid contact of other people,” Vacunawa, in direct message, said, alluding to avoid of getting the COVID-19 infection.
By: Ronald O. Reyes/Joey A. Gabieta
