For SY 2009-2010: Less high school enrollees, more for elementary

CEBU, Philippines – Less students enrolled in public high schools in Cebu City this year compared to last year, this according to a report released by the DepEd Cebu City Schools Division.

Cebu City Schools Division superintendent Dr. Lorna Rances said that as of last Thursday only 45,779 high school students enrolled.

This is a little lower compared to last school year’s 46,383 students who enrolled in public high schools in the City.

“Ato silang gipaabot nga mutungha kay kaning naa sa second year ngadto sa fourth year automatic na man ni sila nga na-enroll, mangita na lang sila sa ilang classroom,” Rances said.

She reiterates that they cannot deny the students from entering their classes until the school will report their Form 3 or the final report of enrollees.

According to Rances that the deadline of submission for the said form will be on the first week of July.

Some school officials earlier expressed concerns that some students might not pursue their studies because of the global financial crisis.

Rances thinks otherwise and anticipated a mass exodus of students from private to public schools as a consequence of the downturn, but this did not happen. 

On the other hand, the number of enrollees in public elementary schools in the City increased from last school year.

Rances revealed that they have already registered a total number of 96,954 pupils compared to last year’s 94,887.

She said that because of the increase in the elementary level, they now need 15,000 more armchairs for the pupils.

Rances said she already informed the city government regarding this matter and is confident that the city will allocate an amount for the needed armchairs.

Meanwhile, Education Consultant Joy Augustus Young said that several classrooms built in different public schools in the City will be finished in a month or two.

In another development DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus disclosed that they will hire about 9,400 public school teachers this school year.

Lapus said that this will ease the lack of teachers in public elementary and high schools all over the country including Cebu City. — Elly Bolonos of Banat News (THE FREEMAN)