By Marie Tonette Grace Marticio
Palo, Leyte -- The biggest school division in Eastern Visayas has opened 12 more secondary schools in Leyte.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Based on its Oplan Balik Eskwela report for this school year, the twelve newly opened schools can help accommodate 136,022 students enrolled in both secondary and senior high schools in the whole province.
Dr. Ronelo Al Firmo, the Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte Division said that officials have worked for the opening of additional public secondary schools "to provide more access to education and solve the dropout problem of students in the province."
The secondary schools to be opened are: Gimarco National High School (Tabango), Campokpok National High School (Tabango), Bachao Natonal High School (Leyte), Villahermosa National High School (Calubian), Hilusig National High School (Mahaplag), Danao Natonal High School (MacArthur), San Vicente National High School (Tolosa), Talisay National High School (Hilongos), Libertad National High School (Palo), San Jose National High School (Palo), Cansamada National High School (Dagami), and Bilwang National High School (Isabel).
Parents, students and local officials expressed their excitement over the opening of a new school in Bilwang, Isabel, which would accommodate the increasing enrolment at the nearby Matlang National High School.
“We’re really thankful to Dr. Firmo for the initiative,” Matlang National High School Principal Vivian Salahid said.
Dr. Firmo said that the list of newly-opened schools in Leyte is increasing since he assumed office in 2013.
Schools Division Assistant Superintendent Edgar Tenasas stated that the official's effort to improve access and promote opportunities by opening schools is an action responding to the secretary's vision for a liberating education.
The secondary schools that were also established during Dr. Firmo’s incumbency were: Euperfia Puda National High School (Matalom), Dawahon National High School (Bato), Hampangan National High School (Hilongos), Canmarating National High School (Abuyog), Buraburon National High School (Burauen), Alegria National High School (Julita), Rizal National High School (Dulag), Manlilisid National High School (Javier), Buracan National High School (La Paz), Trinidad B. Caidic National High School (Alangalang), Borseth National High School (Alangalang), Mariano Salazar National High School (Alangalang), Bienvenido Celebre National High School (Jaro), Telesforo Calda National High School (Leyte), San Jose National High School (San Isidro), Basud National High School (San Isidro), Rafaelito Cabanas Martinez National High School (Calubian), Hinabuyan National High School (Villaba), Sambulawan National High School (Villaba), Sulpa National High School (Villaba), Sta. Filomena National High School (Isabel), Macalpiay National High School (Pastrana), Capudlosan National High School (Hindang), and Hiagsam National High School (Jaro).
Leyte Division covers 40 municipalities with over 15,000 teachers assigned in 1,107 elementary schools, 149 secondary schools, and 126 senior high schools.