DepEd: No major incidents reported during opening of SY 2022-2023 so far

There are no major challenges encountered in schools during the start of the first day of in-person classes reported so far, Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said Monday.

In an Unang Balita interview, Poa said he believes that the opening of School Year 2022-2023 was peaceful and safe.

“Sa ngayong umaga, wala pa po kaming natatanggap na major incidents or challenges. Mukhang mapayapa at ligtas ang pagbabalik eskwela ng ating mga learners this morning,” he said.

(As of this morning, we have not received any major incidents or challenges. It seems that our learners were returning to school peacefully and safely this morning.)

Poa said they are continuously getting reports from DepEd’s regional directors to monitor the situation in schools all over the country.

He also gave an initial assessment that students were seen wearing their face masks, their temperatures were being checked, and some schools were already conducting morning exercises.

As of 7 a.m. of August 22, some 28 million students, both from public and private schools, have already enrolled for this school year.

“This is 101% na po as compared to our enrollment figures last year. Ang projection po natin is 28.6 [million], so we’re hoping na today, ‘yung mga hindi pa nakakapag-enroll, makapag-enroll na po,” Poa said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(This is 101% compared to our enrollment figures last year. Our projection is 28.6 million, so we're hoping that today, those who have not yet enrolled, will be able to enroll.)

The enrollment period is from July 25 to August 22.

Based on data from DepEd, 27.6 million students, both from private and public schools, have enrolled for this academic year  —a slight shortfall from the agency's 28.6 million target.

This school year provides for the implementation of combined in-person classes and distance from August to October, while the five-day face-to-face classes in public and private schools will start on November 2.

Poa earlier said 24,765 private and public schools nationwide or 46% will implement in-person classes for five days while 29,721 schools nationwide or 51.8% will implement the blended learning modality.

Teachers' allowance

In the same interview, Poa said the disbursement of the P5,000 cash allowance to all teachers will start on Monday, August 22.

“Ito po ay sisimulang ipamigay today. Hopefully within the week lahat ay mabigyan na [The distribution will start today. Hopefully within the week everyone will receive their cash allowance],” he said.

He noted that the cash allowance will be given to all educators with at least one teaching load in all public schools nationwide.

Earlier, Poa said the cash allowance will augment and give the teachers assistance for their return to school. —KBK, GMA News