THE Department of Education yesterday said 470 more concerns were received by its Oplan Balik Eskwela command center on its second day of operations.
Of the latest concerns, enrollment issues again topped the list with 220 or 47 percent, followed by other matters with 84, school policy and operations with 68, personnel with 46, and 12 for senior high school.
During the first day of operations of the OBE command center last Monday, the DepEd said 222 concerns were raised by the public through walk-in, email and social media.
Of the 222, it said 98 or 44 percent were about issues related to the ongoing enrollment for school year 2022-2023.
The DepEd said 390 concerns have been resolved, 66 were referred, and 14 are pending resolution.
The enrollment period which started last month is set to end on August 22, with DepEd spokesperson Michael Tan Poa saying they have no plans yet to extend the list-up.
Poa had earlier appealed to parents to enroll their children now, saying this would enable school heads to better prepare classrooms and facilities for the school opening.
As of August 16, Poa said 21,272,820 have already enrolled nationwide, with 18,722,393 in public schools, 2,478,488 in private schools, and 71,939 in state universities and colleges as well as local universities and colleges.
Calabarzon topped the regions in terms of enrollment with 3,070,451, followed by Central Luzon with 2,366,003 and the National Capital Region with 2,295,245.
The PNP is deploying more than 23,000 policemen throughout the country to ensure peace and order during the opening of in-person classes in public schools.
During the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said policemen will be posted within the vicinity of schools to prevent the occurrence of crimes.
Fajardo said the policemen who will be deployed include those who will man PNP assistance desks that will be established near the gates of schools.
“The police assistance desks will be established so that students and their parents can easily seek help from policemen if they have security concerns,” said Fajardo.
She said the cops will also help in ensuring minimum public health standards, including wearing of face masks, are observed amid the continuing threat of COVID-19.
“Apart from security, we can also provide information dissemination programs so students will be aware, they will be informed and educated on the prevention of crimes, including bullying,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said policemen are also ready to help in educating the students on the ill effects of illegal drugs and prevent them from being swayed or recruited by criminals.
“Classes will be resuming so we have to ensure the security of the students. That’s why I ordered our policemen to engage all schools, colleges, elementary and high schools and even preparatory schools,” said Azurin.
“Likewise, I also directed all the chiefs of police to establish police assistance desks near the schools so that our policemen can immediately respond (to possible crimes),” said Azurin.
Azurin said the PNP will also seek the assistance of barangay personnel to prevent unscrupulous elements from taking advantage of the opening of classes. — With Victor Reyes