1.74M Students Troop to Public Schools in Central Visayas Monday

Some 1.74 million students on Monday trooped to public elementary and high schools in Central Visayas as classes in public schools opened in the region, education officials said.

More than 1.5 million students in Central Visayas enrolled in public schools last year.

Education officials projected this number to increase by 15 to 16 percent this year.

Dr. Tomas Pastor, Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Senior High School coordinator, said public and private schools in the region are also expected to welcome on Monday the first batch of an estimated 84,000 students in Grade 11.

Of this number, some 70,000 students will be in public schools across the region, Pastor said.

Pastor said senior high is being offered for the first time this school year, although the DepEd has been implementing the K to 12 expanded basic education program since 2011.

DepEd 7 has a total of 49,909 public school teachers in the region, with 17,605 hired to teach high school.

A total of 245 private schools in Central Visayas, 62 of which are based in Cebu City, have been given authority by DepEd to teach senior high school.

At least 34 higher education institutions (HEIs) and schools accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were also given permits by DepEd to offer senior high school.

Some 14 state universities and colleges and two local colleges in the region have been authorized by DepEd to cater to senior high students.

Incoming Grade 11 students from public schools can attend private schools through the DepEd’s Voucher program.

Based on DepEd’s K to 12 manual, schools who are offering senior high school can offer four tracks: academic; technical-vocation and livelihood; sports; and arts and design. (PNA) FFC/EB/EBP