Over 23 million students are expected to troop to public elementary and high schools throughout the country today as the Department of Education (DepEd) officially opens School Year (SY) 2018-2019.
Director-General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, said he has given orders to all police commanders in the country to strictly abide by the operational guidelines for “Ligtas Balik-Eskwela 2018” to ensure a “zero-crime incident” in the vicinity of schools.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), on the other hand, forecast rains for this week as the low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao is likely to intensify into a storm within 24 to 48 hours and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affects Palawan and Visayas.
To personally monitor the first day of classes, Education Secretary Leonor Briones will be visiting a public high school in Quezon City. Along with other DepEd officials, Briones is scheduled to conduct a school visit at the Quezon City High School (QCHS) in Diliman, Quezon City.
Based on the data obtained by the Manila Bulletin, 84.5% or 23, 463, 675 kinder, elementary, and high school students are expected to go public schools based on the results of the Early Registration held in February this year.
In public schools, the projected enrollment for Kindergarten is 2, 637, 351. For Elementary or Grades 1-6 is 12, 663, 690; for Junior High School or Grades 7-10 is 6, 711, and 367; and for Senior High School (SHS) is 1, 451,267.
‘Zero-crime’ target
Albayalde said Ligtas Balik-Eskwela 2018 ensures the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns including threats from criminal elements that may take advantage of the opening of classes.
“I have issued the Operational Guidelines for Ligtas Balik-Eskwela 2018 that mobilizes all PNP Regional Offices and National Support Units to perform specific tasks and coordinating instructions to implement the nationwide security and public safety plan,” said Albayalde, who is targeting a zero-crime target.
The official said he is particularly concerned of the peace and order situation outside the vicinity of schools where criminal elements usually prowl during school days.
This is the reason, according to Albayalde, why there is a need to set up Police Assistance Desks (PADs) in all public schools as this would serve as both as a crime deterrent and a quick reaction center for the students and teachers.
Earlier, Albayalde said he had already instructed police commanders to deploy at least two policemen that would man the Police Assistance Desks.
Lead-free services
Meanwhile, a Quezon City-based environmental group urged school bus service operators to ensure that their passengers are not exposed to lead and hazardous chemicals.
As an integral part of the group’s campaign for toxics-free environment, the EcoWaste Coalition appealed to school bus operators to desist from using lead-containing yellow automotive paints for their bus fleet.
The group also asked concerned public utility vehicle owners, particularly jeepneys, pedicabs and tricycles that ferry children from their homes to schools, to also opt for lead-safe paints. # Source - (With a report from Chito Chavez)/MANILA BULLETIN
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