Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday assured residents of quality education even under a blended system of learning in the coming school year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Even as we shift to a blended system of learning, parents and students can expect our support to ensure quality education from our schools,” she said.
At least 404,446 students have enrolled in the city’s 156 public schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
The number represents 95.38 percent of the city government’s target of around 424,000 students.
“We anticipated a low turnout this year mainly because of the concern of parents regarding the pandemic but we were pleasantly surprised with the number of enrollees,” Belmonte said.
Based on the latest report from the city’ Schools Division Office, elementary students from kindergarten to grade six accounted for 224,195, while 153,145 junior high school students from grades seven to 10 have signed up.
Some 27,106 students have enrolled in senior high school from grades 11 to 12 as well as non-graded special education.
The city recorded 424,042 enrollees last school year.
Former councilor Aly Medalla, Education Affairs Unit head, said the city still expected the numbers to climb due to the Department of Education’s late enrollment policy.
“We are glad parents decided to enroll their children since the Schools Division Office together with the city has prepared for the new learning system, which allows students to learn and attend classes from home,” she said.
The Local School Board, chaired by Belmonte, approved a P2.9 billion supplemental budget for its learning continuity plan to adapt to the new normal in teaching and learning, with face-to-face classes indefinitely suspended.
According to Schools Division superintendent Dr. Jenilyn Corpuz, the Schools Division Office is currently looking at areas for improvement in preparation for the Aug. 24 class opening.
