Classes To Open On June 13; SHS Enrollment Ongoing — DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that the opening of classes in all public elementary and secondary schools for school year (SY) 2016-2017 is on June 13, Monday.

The agency officially released the School Calendar, contained in DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2016, which indicates a total of 202 school days, inclusive of the five-day In-Service Training (INSET) break.

Although all schools are required to strictly adhere to the core events and activities stipulated in the school calendar, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said private schools may still deviate from it provided that they notify their respective regional offices in advance regarding any deviation.

The education chief also reminded private schools to start classes not earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August.

The said school year is comprised of 54 days for the first quarter, 48 days for the second quarter, another 48 days for the third quarter, and 52 days for the fourth quarter. It will officially end on April 7, 2017.

This school year also marks the full implementation of the K-to-12 program nationwide, particularly Senior High School (SHS). In line with this, SHS enrolment for SY 2016-2017 in all public secondary schools has already commenced since Monday (May 2).

According to DepEd data, 5,927 public schools will begin offering Grade 11 in 2016 and Grade 12 in 2017. These public schools will utilize new classrooms and facilities constructed under the 2014 and 2015 budgets of DepEd or other fund sources.

On the other hand, 4,827 private high schools, private and public universities and colleges, and technical-vocational schools will begin offering Grade 11 in 2016 and Grade 12 in 2017.

With 1.5 million incoming students expected to enter SHS, the DepEd provides a subsidy called the SHS Voucher Program that enables them to get a discount on the cost of tuition and other school fees for SHS.

This is intended for completers of Grade 10 who would like to pursues SHS education in private schools, private universities and colleges, local or state universities and colleges offering SHS and technical and vocational institutions offering SHS.

To date, more than 50,000 vouchers were already awarded to private school grade 10 completers who are non-Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees. This is on top of the 1.4 million automatically qualified voucher recipients who are ESC grantees completing Grade 10 in both public and private schools.

The voucher program is still accepting applications until May 6 in order to enable more Grade 10 completers to have the option to enroll in SHS in private schools, private universities and colleges, local or state universities and colleges or technical vocational institutions come June 2016.

Results will be announced on or before May 20. The agency has allotted over Php12 billion for this voucher program. (PNA) RMA/FMC