• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Education-Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) has recorded 443,884 enrollees in public schools across the region as of June 4.
These include learners from kindergarten to senior high school in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
DepEd-NIR spokesperson Almyr Caezar Dequiña said on Friday, June 5 the number is expected to increase as the regional office is still awaiting enrollment data from private schools.
Dequiña said there will be an extension of the enrollment period to accommodate more learners before the opening of classes.
He reminded students to attend the first day of classes on June 8, emphasizing the importance of their presence as schools begin the academic year.
While schools continue to implement dress code policies, Dequiña said these will not necessarily be strictly enforced during the opening days of classes.
Meanwhile, DepEd has acknowledged the country’s continuing literacy crisis after assessment results showed that 87 percent of Grade 11 students nationwide were classified as non-independent readers.
Dequiña said the DepEd-NIR has already begun implementing measures to address the issue.
However, the regional office plans to conduct its own assessment to determine the actual literacy situation among learners in the region.
The results of the regional assessment will serve as the basis for developing and implementing targeted literacy intervention programs.
Dequiña said the national report was based on a sample population and may not fully reflect the exact condition of the NIR learners.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental has intensified its monitoring of school supplies being sold by retailers ahead of the school opening.
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal said retailers have generally complied with the suggested retail prices for notebooks, yarn, intermediate pads, pencils, and other basic school supplies.
Cardinal added that monitoring teams continue to inspect stores to ensure compliance and protect consumers from overpricing.
She said that several retailers are also offering promotional discounts on school supplies, providing additional savings for parents and students preparing for the new school year. | GB
