DepEd all set for class opening today
The Department of Education (DepEd) is all set for the opening of classes in 42,000 public schools today. Paul Jun E. Rosaroso/File
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) is all set for the opening of classes in 42,000 public schools today.
DepEd Undersecretary Jesus Lorenzo Mateo said there are about 26 million public and private school students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 this school year.
Of the 26 million, 22.8 million are public school students expected to troop to their schools today.
DepEd said by law, private schools are allowed to open later than public schools but not later than the last week of August.
Mateo said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police have been helping DepEd prepare for the start of classes.
At least 4,000 policemen were deployed to secure schools in Metro Manila today, said Director Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Region Police Office chief.
He added that police assistance desks to guide parents and students to school premises and K-9 units or bomb-sniffing dogs are also on standby.
“We will be in every nook and corner of schools to make sure that students and their parents are safe and sound during the opening of classes,” Albayalde said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is also ready for the opening of classes today despite the planned strike of a major transport group.
LTFRB spokesperson Aileen Lizada said government vehicles are on standby if there is a lack of transportation during the protest rally by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston).
Lizada hit the “insensitive” move of the transport group, saying its members are only thinking of themselves amid the various crises hounding the country, including the Marawi siege and the attack at Resorts World Manila. – With Non Alquitran, Romina Cabrera
- Latest
- Trending
