DepEd: Start of classes “smooth”

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) said the start of classes yesterday, July 29, 2024, went smoothly all over the country.

Newly-seated DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, who visited Carmona National High School and Carmona Elementary School in Cavite City, said as of noon yesterday, 20,598,072 learners were recorded for SY 2024-2025.

Of the figure, the education department in a statement, said a total of 11,301,108 learners are from elementary level; 6,204,006 learners are junior high; 2,870,891 learners are senior high school; and 222,067 learners are under the Alternative Learning System.

CALABARZON reported the highest number of enrollees at 3,070,457, followed by Central Luzon with 2,216,637 learners, and NCR with 2,207,473 learners.

DepEd-7 regional director Salustiano Jimenez could not be contacted as of press time, but the other day, he cited that Central Visayas is still short of its two million target of learners enrolled for this school year.

Jimenez had said that Central Visayas has about 1.7 million to 1.8 million learners enrolled, and continues to appeal to parents or guardians to have their children enrolled within the first week of the school opening.

DepEd added that nationwide, 861,234 public school teachers and 45,565 school heads welcomed millions of learners.

Angara expressed his gratitude to the teachers and the students for the successful opening of classes.

“Nais lang nating magpasalamat sa ating mga guro, estudyante at komunidad, mga principal [at] mga superintendent na tumutulong sa pagaayos ng ating mga paaralan at nagsama-sama para makapasok ang students ngayong araw,” Secretary Angara said in an interview.

“Malaking bagay po iyon. Talagang nag-bayanihan po tayo para makapasok ngayong araw,” he added.

In addition to his visits to Carmona National High School and Carmona Elementary School, Angara also visited Muntinlupa National High School and Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial National High School in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Angara emphasized the support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to the education system and ensured that the P5,000 teaching allowance will be disbursed to eligible public school teachers within the school opening week.

“I-reiterate ko lang 'yong suporta ng ating Pangulo, President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. sa ating education system. Humihingi rin ako ng suporta sa lahat ng komunidad all over the Philippines para sa ating mga estudyante at eskwelahan," Angara further said.