Overcrowding, confusion mar school opening

MANILA, Philippines - Several schools in Metro Manila reported the usual problem in overcrowding of students as the Department of Education (DepEd) said the school opening on Monday went smoothly and orderly.

The ideal number of 45 students per class has been elusive even in the largest high school in the country, the Rizal High School in Pasig City.

School administrators said there is an average of 55 students per class in the school, with the student population ballooning to almost 10,000 this school year.

The school also offers an open high school program for working students.

Overpopulation of students also plagued the biggest elementary school in Quezon City, the Commonwealth Elementary School, with more than 9,000 enrollees.

The number is expected to further balloon in the next few days, according to school authorities.

Aside from the overcrowding of classes, numerous reports of confusion on where to line up for the K-12 program of the DepEd, especially those incoming first and second year high school students.

In Manila, students at the Ramon Magsaysay High School had a difficulty in looking for their class sections.

The students scored the school administration for the late posting of the class sections' master list.

Reports said that some parents and guardians also complained that they were turned away when they tried to enroll their children.

Education Assistant Secretary for Planning Jesus Mateo said that it was not the intention of school personnel to refuse enrollment of the children. He said school administrators should also take into account the number of students per class.

"Ayaw naman po natin na sobrang madami ang isang klase at hindi na matuto ang mga bata," Mateo said.