By John Noel Herrera
The Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas has already registered over 600,000 students on the fourth day of the ongoing enrollment for School Year 2022-2023.
As of July 28, 2022, data indicated that 679,396 students in the region have enrolled, or 32.30 percent of the 2,102,865 enrollees last year.
The enrolled students included 61,237 from Aklan, 44,238 from Antique, 46,536 from Capiz, 10,436 from Guimaras, 138,919 from Iloilo, 34,807 from Iloilo City, 306,095 from Negros Occidental and its component cities, 12,588 from Passi City, and 18,395 from Roxas City in Capiz.
DepEd-6 Regional Public Information Officer Hernani Escullar said they expect the number of students for SY 2022-23 to exceed the 2,102,865 enrolled in the previous school year.
The enrollment period started on July 25, 2022 and will end Aug 22, 2022
Meanwhile, DepEd-6 also conducted refresher training to all the teachers in preparation for the start of the class on Aug 22.
The workshop also includes the use of applications on gadgets like android phones and tablets, and training on other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment.
DepEd-6 also asked the 21 school division offices in the region to make a Basic Education Learning Continuity and Recovery Plan (BELCRP) that will guide them on how to deliver education during the pandemic while ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all the learners, teachers, and personnel of the agency.
On the other hand, the education department also coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH) for a Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination in schools nationwide.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poe announced the plan in a press conference, but clarified that vaccination is not mandatory for students who will attend face-to-face classes this year.
Poe added that Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte ordered regional offices to organize counseling sessions for the unvaccinated learners through the help of DOH.
As of this writing, the division offices of DepEd in Western Visayas have yet to give updates about on the plan.
