(CNN Philippines) — An estimated 23 million students from 46,624 public elementary and high schools all over the country return for the opening of classes on Monday (June 1).
The Palace said on Sunday (May 31) that no less than President Benigno Aquino III made sure all concerned government agencies led by the Department of Education (DepEd) prepared meticulously for the opening of school year 2015-2016.
In a radio interview over state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. said: “Bilang pagtupad sa direktiba ng Pangulo, puspusan ang naging paghahanda ng lahat ng ahensya ng pamamahalan sa pangunguna ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon upang masiguro ang maayos, ligtas, at mapayapang pagbubukas ng klase bukas, Hunyo 1, sa buong bansa.”
[Translation: Following the President’s directives, all government agencies led by the Education Department thoroughly prepared to ensure that the country’s opening of classes tomorrow, June 1, will be orderly, safe, and peaceful.]
In Metro Manila, some 800 traffic personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be mobilized to assist the PNP in “ensuring order in the streets of the metropolis.”
“Nakikipag-ugnayan din ang ahensya sa PNP (Philippine National Police) para sa seguridad ng mga mag-aaral at ang PNP naman ay tumututok sa seguridad ng lahat ng paaralan sa buong bansa,” Coloma added.
[Translation: DepEd is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police to provide security in both public and private schools nationwide.]
DepEd will put up an Oplan Balik Eskwela information and action center at its head office in Pasig City on Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to address all school opening complaints.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro has ordered all regional directors and superintendents to likewise open their respective information centers to accommodate all concerns.
K-12 opening
Militant groups, meanwhile, are set to hold rallies on Monday to protest the first day of the government’s K-to-12 Basic Education Program.
Despite the many criticisms hounding its implementation, Coloma described the K-to-12 program as “one of the pillars of the Aquino administration’s reforms in the education sector.”
“Sinisiguro nating may sapat na dunong at kakayahan ang ating mga kabataan kapag nagtapos sila ng high school upang mas maging produktibong bahagi ng lipunan,” he said.
[Translation: We are ensuring that our youth will have enough intelligence, skills, knowledge, and abilities when they finish high school so they can become productive members of society.]
Aquino on Friday (May 29) declared that the country is ready for the implementation of the K- 12 program, which adds two years to the present 10-year basic education program.
He said the people should look at the K to 12 program as a chance to improve the country’s educational system, instead of considering it a burden.
