CURRICULUM TWEAKING. The Filipino Social and Emotional Learning competency framework identifies the social and emotional competencies all students should learn to achieve their life goals. — GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Enrollment in public and private schools in the country declined over the past three consecutive years, data from the Department of Education (DepEd) showed.
The agency reported that for the incoming School Year (SY) 2024-2025, only 18,370,310 learners enrolled, a decrease of over 4.5 million from the previous SY’s 22,917,725 enrollees.
READ: DepEd says over 18 million students enrolled for SY 2024-2025
Furthermore, the 22,917,725 enrollees for SY 2023-2024 were 5.8 million fewer than the 28,797,660 enrollees for SY 2022-2023.
Delayed school opening
The school opening was also delayed in some areas nationwide.
According to the DepEd, 12,866 schools were affected by the recent torrential rains and flooding brought by Typhoon Carina, which enhanced the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat.
READ: Over 1,000 schools rescheduling start of classes – DepEd
As of July 27, at least 1,063 schools declared postponement of their class openings initially scheduled for July 29 to allow rehabilitation and cleanup activities.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said schools that delayed the opening of classes due to the effects of the typhoon should conduct make-up classes.
Budget for the rehabilitation of schools
Last May, the National Economic and Development Authority Board approved the P30.56-billion fund for the repair and rehabilitation of school facilities outside the National Capital Region damaged by recent calamities.
READ: P30B approved for rehab of damaged schools
The amount comprises funding for the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) project, which involves the “repair, rehabilitation, retrofitting, and reconstruction” of schools affected by natural disasters from 2019 to 2023.
The DepEd and the Department of Public Works and Highways will implement the ISRS project, benefiting 1,282 schools, 4,756 school buildings, 13,101 classrooms, and 741,038 learners.
Another component of the initiative is the Relatively Complex Works for School Infrastructure Recovery project, which has a budget of P19.8 billion, covering projects in 78 of the country’s 82 provinces.
Moreover, the Relatively Simple Works for School Infrastructure Recovery and Operations and Maintenance project is expected to benefit schools in 62 provinces with its P9.65-billion fund.