Despite the postponement of openings in some schools affected by flooding, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara announced on Monday, July 29, that 98 percent of public schools nationwide began classes as scheduled.
According to the latest data from DepEd, 842 public schools postponed their openings due to Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon (habagat).
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https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/29/walang-pasok-dep-ed-postpones-july-29-opening-in-832-public-schools
In terms of percentage, Angara noted that the number of schools with delayed openings was “relatively small” compared to those that proceeded with their opening.
“Maliit lang kasi ‘yung one – yun, wala pang ano siguro eh, wala pang 2% of the whole country, so ibig sabihin, 98% of schools, nagbukas (It’s just a small number—less than two percent of the whole country, so this means that 98 percent of schools have opened),” Angara said in an interview at Carmona National High School in Cavite.
As of SY 2023-2024, DepEd data showed there are 47,818 public schools nationwide.
Angara’s visit to a school on opening day marked his first as DepEd Secretary.
Despite challenges such as shifting classes due to classroom shortages, Angara said the school opening at Carmona NHS was “very orderly.”
Angara is scheduled to visit at least two more schools. During these visits, he hopes to monitor the first day of classes.
“Gusto kong tingnan kumusta ‘yung pagturo, kumusta ‘yung mga kagamitan, at syempre, chine-check din natin ‘yung psychological well-being ng ating community, ‘yung mga teachers, given na binagyo tayo ng malakas (I want to see how teaching is going, how the facilities are, and of course, we are also checking the psychological well-being of our community and teachers, especially since we were hit by a strong typhoon),” Angara said.
His visits, Angara said, were also aimed at ensuring that the “DepEd community is doing okay.”
Meanwhile, Angara recognized the collective efforts of education stakeholders to ensure the scheduled opening of classes in flood-free schools.
“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa ating mga komunidad, mga estudyante, mga pamilya, mga teachers, mga principals dahil nagtrabaho sila nang husto para mag-opening tayo ng pasukan (I am grateful to our communities, students, families, teachers, and principals for working hard to ensure the opening of classes),” he said.
“I-reiterate ko lang ‘yong suporta ng ating Pangulo, President Bongbong Marcos, ating education system, at humihingi ako ng suporta sa lahat ng komunidad para sa all over the Philippines para sa ating mga estudyante at eskwelahan (I would like to reiterate the support of our President, Bongbong Marcos, for our education system, and I am asking for the support of all communities across the Philippines for our students and schools),” Angara added.
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