First day of classes ‘orderly, peaceful’ despite reports of overcrowding, shortage of classrooms

FIRST DAY Grade 2 section Gold students of Talimundok Elementary School in Mabalacat City start their in-person classes on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. (Photo by Jun A. Malig)

MANILA, Philippines — The first day of classes was “very orderly” and “very peaceful,” but not without issues.

In the initial assessment of the Department of Education (DepEd) based on the reports submitted by its regional directors, the opening of the school year 2022-2023 went smoothly despite concerns that have already been addressed by respective schools, such as overcrowding and shortage of classrooms in places where there were face-to-face classes.

“Maayos naman ang naging pagbabalik-eskwela natin yesterday (The opening of classes went smoothly). It was very orderly, it was very peaceful,” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

“These have been addressed by strategies employed by our different schools by using shifting schedules and blended learning mode,” Poa said.

In a separate Viber message to reporters, Poa said that among the concerns raised were either shortage or overcrowding in classrooms.

“No untoward incidents reported. There were issues on overcrowding as to parents. One of the reasons being request for enrollment certificates. Aside from that, it was an orderly back to school nationwide,” he also said in a separate Viber message to reporters.

Earlier, Poa said that the school opening for school year 2022-2023 was hitch-free.

DepEd earlier proposed a P86.5-billion budget for 2023 for the construction of classrooms. This could build 34,552 schools in first- to sixth-class municipalities, it said.

Poa said the amount is still on appeal with the Department of Budget and Management for around P85.9 billion.

“The amount we are proposing is something that we think is doable. We’re not trying to propose something that we cannot do in a year. It is now on appeal for around P85.9 billion because we are still negotiating with the DBM,” he said.

Another concern, the DepEd official said, was also the deluge of parents that went to the schools along with their children, either to accompany their children or to get documentary requirements for the financial aid given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Poa, however, said that DepEd was anticipating such issues and challenges on the opening of classes and it was ready to address these.

“When the DepEd said it was ready to open classes, it didn’t mean na wala tayong magiging problema (we won’t have any problem). We were anticipating talaga challenges but we are Filipinos, we are resilient, we will overcome and we will not break,” he said.

“So we just need to bring our kids back to school, kapit bisig tayo para sa ligtas na pagbabalik eskwela ng ating mga learners,” Poa added.

(We just need to bring our kids back to school, hand in hand, for their safe return to school.)

EDV