Authorities start early inspections for class opening

With school due to open in two weeks, education and trade officials have started inspections of public schools and bargain centers to make sure they are ready for the start of the new school year on June 4.

 

The Department of Education started inspecting school facilities in Metro Manila Thursday while the Department of Trade and Industry scheduled inspections in Manila's Divisoria district Friday.

 

DTI and Manila city government inspection teams were to check the prices and quality of school supplies being sold in Divisoria, radio dzBB's Paulo Santos reported.

 

Aside from checking the prices of school supplies, the DTI was to verify information from an ecological group that dangerous chemicals like lead were found in some school items.

 

On Thursday, DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo started inspecting schools such as the Ramon Magsaysay National High School in Cubao, Quezon City.

 

Mateo said this is part of Oplan Balik Eskwela, a program which he is heads, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported.

 

An earlier dzBB report said the inspections aim to determine what facilities still need repairing, and what else could be done to prepare teachers and facilities for this year's pupils.

 

Earlier, the DepEd said School Year 2012-2013 will start this June 4 and end on March 22, 2013 for students in public elementary and high schools.

 

It said the school year will have 200 school days, 180 days of which are non-negotiable student-teacher contact time. –KG, GMA News