MANILA — Malacañang on Monday welcomed the “smooth” opening of classes in public and some private schools nationwide which was greeted with cloudy skies and light rains.
The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said that it expects more than 27.7 million students to return to their classes in both national and regional levels.
“We welcome over 27 million students who are expected to troop to public and private schools today. Balik-eskuwela na po tayo (We’re going back to school),” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“The opening of classes nationwide has been so far smooth,” he added.
Roque said that the Department of Education (DepEd) and other concerned agencies have prepared schools by making sure they are safe, clean and ready to receive students through the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ program.
‘Brigada Eskwela’ or the so-called National Schools Maintenance Week is meant to bring together all stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort and resources for school children.
With the DepEd focusing on maintaining resilient and disaster-ready classrooms, this year’s theme is “Pagkakaisa Para sa Handa, Ligtas at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan”.
Roque also said that public assistance and information centers have been activated in the central office, regional and division office and schools to respond to issues and challenges during school opening. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
