Pasig school with PHL’s biggest student population gets ready for first day of class

Alissa Joy Panga is just one of almost 11,000 students enrolled in Nagpayong Elementary School in Pasig City—the biggest school in the Philippines in terms of student population.

Alissa and some of her classmates trooped to the school grounds a day before the first day of class to verify their classroom assignments.

The incoming grade 5 pupil says she is excited to wear her new uniform and meet a new set of friends.

"May bago po akong uniform at gamit sa eskwela. Excited na rin po ako makilala mga bagong classmates and teachers. Sana mabait po sila," she said.

Assistant Principal Tessie Bucag was also present on Sunday to oversee last-minute preparations, in particular the cleanliness of the classrooms and comfort rooms.

"Na-inspect ko na po iyong mga classrooms, maayos naman. Tinutulungan ko po iyong mga janitor ngayon na maglinis ng CR. Kawawa naman kasi ang mga bata kung pipila na ng mahaba, tapos marumi pa," she said.

Though faced with a lot of enrollees this year, the school administration is certain that they will not have to refuse late enrollees.

The average classroom size at Nagpayong is 55, but can sometimes go as high as 60, Bunag said.

"Lahat po tatanggapin natin hangga't kaya. Kawawa naman kasi kung hindi mo tanggapin lalo na iyong mga transferees galing probinsiya at private schools," she said.

23 million pupils

The Department of Education has stated that students will be accepted until June 30. It expects 23 million students, from Kinder to Secondary, for school year 2015-2016.

In a phone interview with GMA News, Education Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo stressed that no student will be deprived of the right to education.

He added that the usual shortage of classrooms, chairs and books will greatly depend on the number of late enrollees.

DepEd expects school operations to normalize by the second or third week of June.

"Ine-encourage po natin ang mga magulang, lalo na iyong mga apektado ng West Valley Fault, na dumalo sa meeting ng parents and teachers sa second week ng June para makapagplano ng paghahanda," Mateo added.

Parents or students with enrollment concerns may contact DepEd's Oplan Balik Eskwela hotline at 636-1663. Other hotline numbers to call are:

•  
• 633-1942
• 634-0222
• 636-4880
• 635-0552
• 637-4211
• 635-6550
• 638-7529
• 635-9817
• 638-7530
• 637-3743

They may also get in touch with DepEd at 0919-4560027 or at action@deped.gov.ph. The Oplan Balik Eskwela command center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until June 6. — BM/KG, GMA News