BAGUIO CITY – “There were no reported problems,” which led to a smooth opening of classes for schoolyear 2017-18, last Monday, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said during the regular kapihan at city hall last week.
The mayor however requested members of the Baguio City Police Office to be visible in areas needing patrol, to avoid past incidents involving violence or harassment to pupils and students. Parents and teachers need to be watchful and cautious, too, he added.
He also expressed confidence in newly-installed Department of Education executives, Regional Director May Eclar, incoming Assistant Regional Director Soraya Faculo and Schools Division Superintendent Federico Martin, for well-managed basic education programs.
In an earlier Kapihan at the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), just-appointed City Director Ramil Saculles echoed what the mayor said, a peaceful school opening without hitches in the traffic situation specially at the Central Business District. Police officers were deployed in strategic places in public schools for Oplan: Ligtas Balik Eskwela, Saculles said.
At the stand alone Senior High School at the Baguio City National Science High School in Irisan, the expected enrollment dwindled, but is expected to increase until the end of this month. This is due to other junior schools just ending their respective schoolyears, it was known.
Anti-bullying measures are also in place, with personnel trained to deal with situations, Dep-Ed Baguio Curriculum Implementation Division head Rachel Bugtong assured, with help from the Parent Teacher and Community Association.
Students involved in illegal drugs would be referred to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (OCSWDO) for study, evaluation and rehabilitation if needed, it was known from OCSWDO head Betty Fangasan who was also present during the Kapihan.
Accordingly, all pupils and students are accommodated in public schools, with the rule that “no child gets left behind,” since there is a teacher-student ratio of 1:35 for kinder to grade 10, and 1:10 for grade 11. The Brigada Eskwela is effective as students start classes on the first day, without cleaning the school premises first, Dr. Bugtong said.
BCPO Director Saculles also visited the Baguio City National High School, Carino, Quwezon and Mabini Elementary Schools with the assurance of a peaceful school opening situation. /Julie G. Fianza
