DepEd Sec. Luistro visits Sarangani Islands in Davao del Sur for school opening

Luistro's official visit marked the first time an official from the Department of Education (DepEd) came to the schools in both islands.

 

More than 5,000 students enrolled on Monday in the schools in the said islands. 

 

Other officials who came to pay a visit were officials from the DepEd regional offices. 

 

A total of 18 elementary and high schools in both islands were included in DepEd's itinerary. 

 

Earlier, Luistro and other DepEd officials spearheaded a flag ceremony which marked the opening of classes at Mabila Central Elementary School in Balut Island.

 

One official at the Mabila Central Elementary School revealed in her statement during the program that they were grateful for Luistro's visit, saying she thought that their town was being neglected and forgotten by the government. 

 

"Naluha talaga ako nang makita ko si Sir Secretary Luistro. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga estudyante dahil ngayon lang sila nakakita ng taga-DepEd mula sa region at mula Maynila kaya maraming salamat po," school official said.

 

Luistro on his part said he is grateful as well for the warm welcome they received from both teachers and pupils. 

 

"Ikinagagalak kong malaman na ang daming estudyante rito ang pumasok ngayong araw. Mahal namin kayong lahat at hinding-hindi namin kailanman (kayo) kinalimutan," Luistro said.

 

DepEd officials ended the program by distributing some 800 learner kits that include pencils and notebooks.

The DepEd said some 23 million students were expected to troop to elementary and high schools nationwide for this year's school opening.

Luistro said this school year's opening was generally better than that of the previous years, with school administrators and teachers better prepared. —KG/RSJ, GMA News