MANILA, Philippines — More than 400,000 students have enrolled in Quezon City public schools for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, representing 95% of the local government’s target.
Of the 404,446 total enrollees, 224,194 are elementary students and 153,145 are junior high school students; while 27,106 students have enrolled in senior high school as well as non-graded special education, according to the city government.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city’s goal was to have 424,000 enrollees in its 156 public schools this year.
“We anticipated a low turnout this year mainly because of the concern of parents regarding the pandemic but we were pleasantly surprised with the number of enrollees,” Belmonte said in a statement on Tuesday.
However, the number of enrollees could still climb due to the Department of Education’s late enrollment policy, according to Education Affairs Unit Head Aly Medalla.
The Quezon City government earlier approved a P2.9 billion supplemental budget to implement the “blended learning” style of classes as face-to-face learning remains suspended in the area due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget will be used to provide learning packets such as flash drives, printed modules, and school supplies for all its public school learners as well as tablets for students enrolled in junior and senior high school.
Classes are set to open on August 24.
On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the proposal to conduct “limited” face-to-face classes in areas under modified general community quarantine that are considered to have “low-risk” coronavirus transmission.
Metro Manila, however, remains under general community quarantine until July 31.