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By James Konstantin Galvez,
Jayson Cruz Luna And Maricel V. Cruz, Reporters
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus
on Tuesday said the opening of classes nationwide was generally
“smooth and orderly,” noting the decrease in the number of
complaints that reached the Education department.
“There is smooth and organized
opening of classes today. It seems that our preparation including
the weeklong Oplan Balik Eskwela and coordination with other
government agencies, local governments and the community has paid
off,” Lapus said.
After visiting the Batasan
National High School in Quezon City and the Highway Hills Integrated
School in Mandaluyong City, Lapus and other Education officials
noticed marked improvement in enrollment and school facilities.
From the previous three shifts of
classes daily at the Batasan National High School, Department of
Education-National Capital Region Director Teresita Domalanta said
it is now down to two shifts despite the influx of more students.
“As of yesterday [Tuesday] the
Balik Eskwela Information and Action Center recorded a total of 258
complaints, inquiries and requests,” Lapus added.
About 21 million students were
expected to troop to schools Tuesday, up from last year’s 20.5
million.
Uneventful”
school opening
The Metro Manila Development
Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday that the opening of classes in the
metropolis was “uneventful.”
MMDA General Manager Robert
Nacianceno said the agency monitored heavier-than-usual traffic but
said the situation was generally manageable.
Nacianceno said the traffic
situation on the traditionally busy EDSA was also unremarkable,
except for gridlocks on Shaw Boulevard and Ayala Avenue because of
the heavy volume of vehicles.
The MMDA also said that an
accident involving a 10-wheeler truck along McArthur Highway led to
a major traffic jam in the area.
Citing reports he had got from
various regional police offices nationwide, National Police chief,
Director Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. noted efforts of the police to curb
criminality and maintain order were successful.
“The opening of classes was
peaceful and orderly. No untoward incidents had been recorded,”
Razon said.
Even in Mindanao, the situation
was “relatively peaceful,” Razon said.
The national police also
implemented its earlier plan to allow policemen to temporarily
assume teaching posts in schools where there was lack of teachers.
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