DepEd: Fewer school opening complaints this year

MANILA, Philippines - Students and parents have fewer complaints on enrollment and other school opening issues this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday. 

The DepEd Command Center Task Force in Pasig City said it received only 365 complaints, concerns and issues as of yesterday morning, compared to more than 2,000 last year.

“In general, there is lesser confusion compared to last year. There’s more confusion in bigger schools because of the late enrollees,” DepEd Assistant Secretary for Planning Jesus Mateo said.

Topping the list of complaints are the requirements for student transferees.

Mateo appealed to parents to attend the first parent-teacher association meeting for them to be familiar with school policies.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) warned school children against buying street food.

Prescilla Cuevas, chief health program officer at the DOH’s National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said it is unsafe for children to consume street food as they may suffer from diarrhea or food poisoning.

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag also recommended a makeover of school canteens nationwide. He said school canteens should not sell soft drinks and “junk” food to students.

“We really have a DOH advisory on street foods. I think street foods are really unhealthy and children should not be allowed to just eat anywhere. They may be at risk,” Cuevas said in an interview.

Cuevas said the preparation of street food may not be hygienic, citing the quality of water and ingredients used. She said parents should let their children bring their own food to school to ensure that they eat right.

“There are also school canteens and it is their responsibility to make sure that the food and drinks that they serve to the students are healthy and clean,” she said.– With Sheila Crisostomo