By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY—With the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) still lingering, the Department of Education (DepEd) found that there was low enrollment for elementary and high school students in Iloilo province
In this March 13 photo, students go home after classes were suspended. The school year 2019-2020 was cut off early due to the threat posed by COVID-19. (Tara Yap/File/Manila Bulletin)
“Parents are still thinking of their children’s safety,” said DepEd-Division of Iloilo Superintendent Dr. Roel Bermejo.
As of June 25, only 186,355 students have enrolled in the 42 towns and component city of Passi. DepEd-Division of Iloilo has set a target of almost 454,000 students based on the previous year’s enrollment record.
Parents with internet access can enroll online, while those without online access can utilize the drop-box system, which is available in barangays.
DepEd-Division of Iloilo also conducted a survey among parents, and found that 80 percent preferred the blended type of learning. But Bermejo pointed out that this will still depend on the situation in each area.
Out of the almost 22,000 teachers and staff across the province, 80 percent own laptops, smart phones and other devices that could be used for online teaching.
Teachers who do not have access to gadgets can still report physically at the school, and utilize the designated e-classroom, which is equipped with the necessary equipment.