BAGUIO CITY – – The Department of Education’s School Division of Baguio reported smooth opening of classes here in the Summer Capital on Monday(Oct. 5) with all the 67 public schools ready to serve the 63,910 enrollees for the School Year 2020 – 2021 amid the corona virus pandemic.
Baguio School Division Superintendent Marie Carolyn Verano in a media forum at the Baguio Central School here reported that as of October 1, there are 63,910 learners enrolled in public schools in the city from Kindergarten to Senior High School including those in the Alternative Learning System and Special Education. The figure shows an increase of around five percent compared to the 62,215 enrollees last school year.
OIC Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Christopher Benigno, in the same forum, also bared that all 67 public schools in the city are very ready in the implementation of their respective Learning Continuity Operation Plan. DepED Baguio will be implementing a blended learning with printed modules and online mode of learning.
The education officials assured that delivery of printed modules is not a problem as this is done in partnership with the City Government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines- 503rd Infantry Brigade, Bureau of Fire and Protection, Baguio Water District and Benguet Electric Cooperative.
For Baguio Central School, the oldest and one of the big schools in the city, School Principal Esther Litilit affirmed the school’s readiness with its 92 teachers for their 3,354 learners. She shared that they have an increased number of enrollees and most of new learners are transferees from private schools. In terms of learning modality, only one percent of their learners chose the online classes and the rest preferred modular.
For Pines City National High School, Principal Whitney Dawayen affirmed readiness to serve their 2,280 students, of whom 980 will be through online learning and the rest through printed learning modules.
On the threat of the COVID pandemic, DepEd –CAR Medical Officer IV Dr. Angeline Calatan said all public schools’ Learning Continuity Operations plan must include health and safety protocols for both teaching and non–teaching personnel.
Calatan also reminded the Health Department’s advocacy of “BIDA ang Solusyon” which promotes regular use of face mask, proper/regular hand washing, physical distancing and on always monitoring the right information or updates on COVID–19, as part of daily life. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
