Education Secretary Leonor Briones said reports have shown that students want to go back to school despite the COVID-19 crisis.
“For the early registration, there are 1.4 million students who already said they want to go back to the school system. And even before the start of formal enrollment, certain regions are reporting they already attained 75% of their target enrollment number,” Briones said.
Briones said this will inspire DepEd to ensure that schools and teachers are all ready for the new normal.
“We have been saying that the decision to go back to school will be up to the parents because they know what is best for their children. The parents, learners have spoken,” she said.
“We will humbly obey and follow,” Briones added.
Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan reminded schools that they should not limit the number of enrollees they will accept.
“Enrollment is not on a first come, first served basis. Hindi po ganoon ang sistema. Ang order po ni Secretary, i-enlist po muna lahat, and DepEd will take care of the organization of the classes at a later time,” Malaluan said.
There are 800,000 DepEd employees, including the teachers, and 27 million students in basic and secondary education.
