MANILA, Philippines - A total of 20.8 million elementary and high school students are expected to show up when classes open on June 10, GMA News reported.
The television report quoted Education Secretary Jesli Lapus as saying that of the total number, 13.9 million are elementary students while the remaining 6.8 million are high school students.
The report said 12.8 million students will go to public elementary schools and 5.5 million in public high schools.
It said the DepEd had also launched its annual Balik Eskwela program to ensure a smooth opening of the classes next month.
The Education department is also expediting the repair of some 70 schools in Regions 1 and 3 damaged by tropical storm "Cosme."
The DepEd will tap the P300-million Quick Response Fund for the repair of the schools.
After an inter-agency meeting at DepEd office Tuesday, Lapus said it is all systems go for this year's opening of classes.
Lapus said the DepEd together with other government agencies and the private sector are working together in ensuring a smooth opening of classes nationwide.
"This meeting of the inter-agency committees led by the president will check those who are on top of their responsibilities in assisting DepEd for the opening of classes this year," Lapus said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will give high significance in monitoring the prices of basic commodities which may affect the prices of school supplies and facilities in the long run.
For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will be coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and will enhance its police visibility program to deter criminal activities and ensure the safety of the school children.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) deputy chief for operations, Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao added that the PNP will maintain peace and order at school vicinities while intensifying the prevention of commonly committed crimes in schools.
Aside from 3,000 policemen assigned to cover the public schools, the PNP said that they also like to tap village and school officials to carry out the concerns of the parents and students.
MMDA director Lito Vergel de Dios reported that they have been fast tracking the completion of major works along EDSA and C-5 to ease traffic in these major thoroughfares.
An intensive inspection of electrical wirings will be screened by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) while water quality sampling project that will certainly provide safe water supply for school children will be conducted by the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).
According to Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani an amount of P60 million was funded for additional water facilities in public schools. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV