Enrollment concerns flood DepEd assistance center

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THE Department of Education yesterday said its Oplan Balik Eskwela public assistance command center received 222 concerns on its first day of operations last Monday as the department accelerated its preparations for the opening of classes on August 22.

Data provided by DepEd showed “the most received category of concern is enrollment with a total of 98 concerns or 44 percent of the total.

“Most of the issues include enrollment requirements for transferees, incomplete enrollment requirements, and enrollment confirmation of learners,” the DepEd said.

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The DepEd said issues such as the contact details of school division offices, process of certification, authentication and verification of school records, and transfer of school credentials came in next with 45 concerns or 20 percent of the total.

The command center located at the DepEd main office in Pasig City also received 23 and 13 concerns, respectively, under school policy and operations and personnel.

“The main issues under school policy and operations were withholding of school credentials due to unpaid balance. Meanwhile, most of the issues received under personnel were filing of formal complaints against a teacher, promotion and ranking process, and transfer of teaching personnel,” the DepEd said.

Nine concerns were also received about the Alternative Learning System and Oplan Brigada Eskwela.

The data also showed issues from walk-in clients were the highest with 71 concerns, followed by email with 67, and Facebook with 43.

The DepEd said 189 concerns were already resolved, 27 were referred, and six are pending resolution.

Earlier, DepEd spokesperson Michael Tan Poa said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has directed regional and school division offices nationwide to set up public affairs units to deal with public complaints and concerns.

APPEAL ON COVID

The DepEd appealed to parents to keep their children at home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

Poa said children with COVID-19 can still continue learning by switching to online learning and reporting to school once they are cured of the virus.

“Once they go to school and exhibit symptoms of COVID, they will be automatically excused from class and switch to either modular learning or online learning, depending on the situation and their condition,” he said.

Earlier, Poa said schools will have their own infection containment strategy to prevent the transmission of the virus and ensure that students and teachers will have a safe learning environment.

He said classrooms will have adequate ventilation while minimum public health protocols will be strictly observed, such as the wearing of face masks.

Poa, however, said last Monday that unvaccinated teachers will still be allowed to report for work provided they wear face masks and observe health protocols.

Also last Monday, DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said 90 percent of the more than 47, 000 public schools nationwide are ready to hold in-person classes next week, while the majority of private schools will still use blended learning until October 31.

The DepEd has set the start of in-person learning in November.

DEPLOYMENT OF COPS

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PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered police commanders to deploy cops in time for the resumption of face-to-face classes in public schools on August 22.

“Influx of individuals during in-person classes is also expected, thus, PNP COVID-19 patrollers will also be deployed to ensure that the minimum public health standards, such as observing physical distance, proper and frequent handwashing, and wearing face masks shall remain implemented, especially in places or regions with high-risk classifications,” Azurin said.

Policemen are also directed to conduct mobile and foot patrols along major routes and highways leading to schools and within the vicinity of schools to prevent unscrupulous people from mingling and influencing students to engage in vices and illegal activities.

Azurin’s directives were in line with the Operational Guidelines for Ligtas Balik Eskwela School year 2022-23 that was issued to police units throughout the country.

Under the guidelines, policemen should coordinate with school officials and with parents and teachers’ associations so illegal drug prevention and education and other anti-crime programs can be pursued.

Police assistance desks should also be established near the entrance of school campuses, in coordination with school officials, to ensure the safety and security of students and school personnel.

LGBTQIA+ WEIGHS IN

A leading LGBTQIA+ advocate and winner of the 2020 Ms. Trans Global contest has asked Duterte to ensure a “gender-sensitive, safe and motivational learning environment” in all schools.

Mela Franco Habijan said she wrote directly to Duterte after she received messages from LGBTQIA+ children from across the country expressing their apprehension and concerns as many school heads are still unaware of the department’s policy against promoting gender sensitivity in all schools.

“As we approach the opening of Academic Year 2022-2023, more LGBTQIA+ kids from across the Philippines have been messaging me. Their concern: as we go back to face-to-face set-up will they be allowed to come to school in the gender that they identify as,”

Habijan said in a letter dated August 8 to Duterte.

Habijan expressed hope the DepEd would fully implement the 2017 Gender Responsive Basic Education Policy that lays out the policy recognizing and affirming gender diversity in the Philippines and protect all children, including LGBTQIA+ kids, from gender-based violence and discrimination and promotes inclusion of LGBTQIA+ teachers and students.

“Sadly, some of our educator friends are still unaware of this policy. With this, I am taking my chances once again to appeal to you in reiterating and ensuring the implementation and preservation of DepEd Order No.32 Series of 2017 in all regions of the Philippines,” Habijan said.

She said that Duterte’s positive response to her appeal will ensure inclusion and protection of LGBTQIA+ students. — With Victor Reyes 

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