The first day of face-to-face classes nationwide is generally peaceful and orderly so far, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday.

In a Viber message, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said there were no major incidents reported to them as of Monday morning.

“As 9:20 a.m. po, base po sa mga updates ng ating mga regional directors, maayos at mapayapa po ang pagbabalik eskwela ng ating mga learners. Wala pa pong nakakarating sa amin na untoward incidents. Patuloy po kaming naka-monitor sa ating mga paaralan (As 9:20 a.m., based on the updates of regional directors, the school reopening is orderly and peaceful for our learners. We haven’t received reports of any untoward incidents. We are continuously monitoring our schools),” he said.

The DepEd made the statement following their long preparation for the gradual transition to face-to-face learning to ensure the safe return of learners after two years due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Schools that started their in-person setup have implemented safety guidelines including the mandatory wearing of face masks, temperature checks, and proper sanitation.

Likewise, police assistance desks were also on posts near school vicinities to maintain security on educational premises.

The Oplan Balik Eskwela Command Center also received 26 calls with most concerns related to school policy and operations; while the top query of some guardians was about the issuance of a Form 138 photocopy even with an outstanding balance in private schools.

Enrollment turnout

As of Monday, the DepEd has recorded 28,035,042 enrolled learners nationwide, which is a slight shortfall from their targeted 28.6 million enrollees.

Poa, however, said parents can still register their children, who will be eventually required to go on a face-to-face learning setup come November 2.

“We are still encouraging those who haven’t enrolled to enroll as soon as possible. It also bears emphasizing that although we haven’t met our projected figures. The enrolled learners this year is already 101 percent of our figure from last school year’s enrollment,” he told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

This year’s over 28 million enrollees have over 4 million pre-registered while the remaining more than 23 million secured their registration during the official enrollment period.

The DepEd insisted this turnout is higher than the previous official enrollment tally hitting 27,560,661.

The DepEd took a firm stance on the gradual transition to face-to-face learning to address the “learning loss” which happened in distance learning during the pandemic.

Covid-19 protocols

In separate statements, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said he expects classes will be held in comfortable classrooms and with complete learning materials as promised by the DepEd, while Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said there must be creative ways in ensuring the health and safety of students.

“Observance of minimum health standards must be ensured as the threat of Covid-19 continues to linger,” Villanueva said.

Gatchalian pointed out that the challenge remains in vaccinating learners, citing the Department of Health (DOH) data that show only 26.94 percent of children aged 5 to 11 years old and 76.41 percent in the 12 to 17 bracket are fully vaccinated.

“Let’s come up with innovative ways, partner with the DOH and local government units. See if we can set up vaccination sites in schools, and encourage more children to get their vaccines,” Gatchalian, chair of the Committee on Basic Education, said.

Gatchalian visited Marulas Central Elementary School and Valenzuela National High School in his hometown in Valenzuela City on Monday and checked on the preparedness of the schools, teachers, and learners.

Senator Lito Lapid is optimistic that the education sector will reach some level of normalcy soon.

“I have every faith that the Filipino spirit of resilience will take us to where we need to be. I, and my colleagues in the Senate, will watch the developments intently and provide the necessary support once the budget season resumes,” Lapid said in another statement.

LGUs’ support

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is one with the DepEd in ensuring the smooth implementation of the ‘Oplan Balik Eskwela’ (OBE).

“As early as July, we have already worked with LGUs (local government units) to undertake the necessary measures and preparations in coordination with concerned government agencies ensuring the smooth opening of classes and the safety and security of the students,” said DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. in a statement.

Among these measures are to ensure that the road networks near schools are secure, clean, and free from obstructions and hindrances; coordinate with DepEd and the Department of Public Works and Highways for the conduct of building inspections to ensure the structural integrity of school facilities; utilize their Special Education Fund for the construction, repair, and maintenance of school buildings and facilities; and, ensure the placement of measures to prevent the outbreak of dengue fever.

Abalos said LGUs are also expected to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the vicinity of schools and strictly enforce the minimum public health standards in schools.

“We have also mobilized the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to fully assist in the implementation of OBE, particularly in guaranteeing the safety of the student populace and helping in the conduct of clean-up drives and voluntary repair works in schools,” he added.

Abalos also urged all DILG regional and field offices to provide technical coordination and assistance to LGUs in the implementation of OBE activities.

“We assure the academic community and the general public that all hands are on deck for a smooth, safe, and hassle-free opening of classes this school year. The DILG and our partner LGUs are one with Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte’s efforts to improve the quality of education and address the current challenges of basic education in the new normal,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PNP said the opening of in-person classes for the school year 2022-2023 nationwide was generally peaceful and orderly, with no untoward incident reported as of 4 p.m. Monday.

School administrators from the country’s estimated 40,000 private and public schools did not report any major incident that could have disrupted the first day of the face-to-face classes.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. made this assessment while continuously monitoring the situation in all 17 PNP Regional Offices through the PNP Command Center in Camp Crame.

Over 23,000 PNP personnel were deployed to secure the opening of classes and other areas of convergence of students, parents, and teachers.

“We have opened our communication lines with school authorities so they can immediately call us in times of emergency or any security threat,” said Azurin.

While the PNP does not see any serious security concerns with the holding of regular classes in the coming days, Azurin said police units will remain vigilant and continue a lookout for perennial peace and order issues associated with the occasion such as traffic congestion, stranded commuters, crowding, non-observance of public health standards, street crime, fraternity or gang violence, bullying, and possible campus infiltration by lawless groups. (PNA)