Despite limited space, schools accept enrollees

DESPITE the shortage of teachers and classrooms, the Department of Education (DepEd-7) declared a “smooth and peaceful” school opening for Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas.

“There are problems but we tried our best to address the needs of the students,” said DepEd-7 assistant regional director Carmelita Dulangon. The agency recorded 466,371 enrollees for Cebu.

Of that number, 32,267 enrollees were for preschool, 302,774 for elementary and 131, 330 for secondary level.

In Central Visayas, the DepEd placed the number of enrollees at 977,687 for elementary and kindergarten and 412,050 for secondary education.

In Argao town Willie Adonay, school principal of Argao Elementary School said they are nine classrooms short since their school building is still undergoing repairs.

He said even with the five percent increase in enrollees, they have enough teachers to handle classes.

He said their 22 classrooms can accommodate their 989 elementary students including  kindergarten.

DepEd requires 40 students per class but Adonay said their ratio is 45 students per classroom.

Adonay added they had to use their Home Economics classroom, their library and social hall to accommodate the students.

Help desks were set up at the school’s covered court for the enrollees.

Two ronda tanods were set up outside the school gates.

Adonay said the school closes the gate during class hours and students aren’t allowed to go out without their parents or a guardian.

Adonay said they have volunteer teachers who are paid a P3,000 monthly honorarium from the barangay to handle kindergarten classes.

Dulangon lauded school officials for trying to accommodate all enrollees.

She also reminded the school officials not to charge any additional fees within the first two months after the start of classes.

All financial contributions should be approved by the Parents-Teachers Association, Dulangon said.

In Cebu City, the police cited traffic congestion as the major problem in yesterday’s school opening.

Chief Insp. David Senor of Cebu City police’s traffic division said barangays Banilad and Talamban were affected by the congestion.

Traffic eased up in the downtown Cebu City area, specially in Osmeña Boulevard as Ibabao-Mandaue route jeepneys were barred from entering the area.

Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Cebu City police chief said policemen were deployed at major junctions in the city to assist pupils crossing the streets.

Ronda tanods were also stationed outside the schools to secure the campuses. Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya and Correspondent Chito Aragon