Sy 2010-11 starts Tuesday June 15

THOUSANDS of students and pupils in Bohol’s public and private schools are expected to troop back when schools open on June 15.

This too as the government revs on its Balik Eskwela campaign to keep all school-age children in schools and make the teaching venues conducive to learners.

The day, June 15 would be after the country breaks for the Independence Day holiday, which is reset on the nearest Monday after June 12, shared Bohol division office representative Auxilio Cruspero during the recent Kapihan sa PIA Thursday.

While there were initial rumors about classes opening on the 14th the Department of Education corrected the opening dates while citing an amendment of its order no. 26 series of 2010.

Paragraph 2 of the Department order no. 26 series of 2010 from the education department earlier pegged the beginning of the school year on Monday, June 14, 2010.

However, based on Presidential proclamation Number 1841, June 14 has been previously declared regular holiday being the Monday nearest June 12.

By this, the DepEd order number 69 series of 2010 came to correct the error.

DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno also affirmed that the school year 2010-2011 shall begin on Tuesday June 15, 2010 and shall end on April 8, 2011.

Over this, “there would be 202 school days inclusive of the 5 days INSET Break and the parent-teacher conference that shall be held on Saturdays following the week after the administration of the quarterly examinations,” the order reads.

According to the education authorities, the number of school days is compulsory to public elementary and secondary schools.

As to the private schools, Sec. Valisno said they may opt to deviate from the DepED school calendar but they shall not start their classes earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August as provided in Republic Act 7797. (PIA-Bohol)

DepEd seeks help to Equip, adopt schools

CONSCIOUS of the perennial problems hounding the country’s educational system, authorities now look on a different angle and urges benevolent citizens to be part of the solution.

With apparent government backlog in providing education facilities, Department of Education (DepEd) taps concerned companies, organizations and citizens to pitch in and join Brigada Eskwela Plus.

According to the DepEd, there is a need for 39 new 2 classroom school buildings for the secondary and 62 2-classroom buildings for the elementary this year as enrollment increase is estimated at 5%.

The situation is also being complicated by the fact that the government’s education for all campaign is set to seek all school-age kids and pull them back to schools.

Over the pressing need for action, the call was echoed during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA as City schools division office through Dr. Erlinda Mahinay as the topic on Brigada Eskwela was raised.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide voluntary activity implemented by the DepEd and its external education stakeholders to prepare the schools for the opening of classes.

And just as old schools need to be refitted to make them lend a conducive environment to learning, clean ups, repairs, maintenance and other rehabilitation activities are needed.

And just as the government is hard up on funds, the authorities have said they could use a little help.

“We urge our communities to come out and help in any way they can, be it though free labor or materials needed for the repairs and rehabilitation or repainting jobs,” Dr. Mahinay resounded.

Or to those who have better economic conditions, we are now urging companies and groups for the “adopt a school” program of the Oplan Balik Eskwela, she said.

By adopting a school, organizations and companies can earn tax credits and at the same time help upgrade schools, she claimed.

The Brigada Eskwela of Oplan Balik Eskwela has been implemented to stop the old practice of students and pupils using the beginning days of the school year to clean up the school premises, Dr. Mahinay explained.

On the Brigada, parents and other community sectors concerned with education pitch in free labor and materials to institute repairs and rehabilitation of schools to make the schools conducive venues to learning.

Simultaneously launched last May 24, the Brigada Eskwela forms part of DepEd’s efforts to engage communities to sustainably help schools for the whole school year and be real partners in education, explains Auxilio Cruspero of the Bohol Division Office of the DepED during the same forum. (PIA-Bohol)

Private elementary, high schools won’t hike fees this year

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced Friday that private elementary and high schools will not increase tuition fees for the school year 2010 to 2011.

“Since we have not received any request, our belief is no (private) schools will increase tuition fees. So far, good news!” DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno said in an interview.

She said they expect at least 22 million elementary and high school students this year, more than 1 million compared to last year’s elementary and secondary student population.

Valisno said that the DepEd’s problem in textbooks have been solved as they expect a 1:1 book per student ratio this year. New books will also be acquired by the DepEd with donations from the private sector that has reached P7 billion.

Meanwhile, the DepEd needs to build this year 5,123 more classrooms and 800,000 school chairs for public elementary and high schools.

Valisno said they are confident that with the help of the parents, non-government organizations and the private sector, the government will be able to acquire the basic needs of the students. (PIA-Bohol)