Students troop to schools for first day of school year amid rains, jeepney strike

Except for some schools in Mindanao affected by the ongoing crisis in Marawi City, public schools opened their doors Monday to students for the start of the school year 2017-2018.

At the Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City, 9,200 students were expected to attend the first day of classes despite the early morning rain showers, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

Parents were seen bringing their children to school despite the inconvenience caused by the ongoing strike of the Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) against the government's jeepney modernization plan.

At the CAA Elementary School in Las Piñas City, 10,000 students have been enrolled so far, but the administration said the number may still increase as enrollment is still open, Love Añover reported on Unang Balita.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said the school is the most populated elementary school in the National Capital Region, Añover reported.

Meanwhile, at the Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Batasan Hills in Quezon City, security remains tight inside and outside for the sake of the students, Rhea Santos reported on Unang Balita.

At the Ramon Magsaysay High School in Cubao, Quezon City, an estimated 4,400 students were expected to attend the first day of classes, Victoria Tulad reported on Unang Balita.

Parents of some students of Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School in Quezon City accompany their kids on the first day of school. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/TLHIRdWJP0

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) June 4, 2017

Dr. Luis Tagayun, the school principal, said that thanks to the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education, they were able to have the school facilities ready in time for the opening of classes.

Brigada Eskwela is a weeklong annual activity where teachers, parents, students, and other members of society join hands in repairing and cleaning school facilities.

Tagayun said the school has enough classrooms for the two shifts of classes: 6 a.m. to 12 nn, and 12:15 to 6:15 p.m.

He also assured parents and students of security measures implemented in the school.

Meanwhile, at the Bacoor National High School in Cavite, 4,252 students have enrolled so far, but the number may still rise as enrollees are still welcome, Suzi Abrera and Hiro reported on Unang Balita.

The school is one of the most populated public secondary level schools in the combined area of Regions 3 and 4-A and the National Capital Region, thus the classroom to student ratio is 1:75.

On Thursday, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones said schools nationwide still lack around 47,000 classrooms, and some 53,000 high school teachers.

Briones also said that the department has allotted more hotlines to accommodate school opening-related requests, complaints, and suggestions.

DepEd command centers, she added, will remain open until June 16, while concerns will be accommodated from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday. —KG, GMA News