FIRST DAY HIGH. Learners of the Calasiao Comprehensive National High School in Calasiao, Pangasinan province on their first day of classes on Aug. 29, 2023. Majority of the schools in Ilocos Region will start their classes on Monday (July 29, 2024). (File photo courtesy of DepEd Ilocos Region)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Department of Education in the Ilocos Region (DepEd-1) confirmed that 92 percent or 2,636 out of 2,861 public schools under its jurisdiction will start classes as scheduled on Monday.
In a statement on Sunday, DepEd-1 said only 226 of the schools will open on a later date after being affected by Super Typhoon Carina.
"While we would want all our schools to open the school year on July 29, we do not want to compromise the safety of our learners and our personnel," DepEd-Ilocos Regional Director Tolentino Aquino said.
“We took the guidance from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and the executive committee members to open the schools only when they are ready.”
All schools in divisions under Alaminos City, Urdaneta City and San Carlos City, Pangasinan; Pangasinan II; Batac City, Ilocos Norte; Candon City and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; and San Fernando City, La Union are ready to start off Academic Year 2024-2025.
The assessment of damage in the different schools is ongoing.
"We express our appreciation to all our stakeholders who helped in the preparation of the schools through our extended Brigada Eskwela (school brigade). We also thank our local chief executives and local government units for their support to our school opening efforts," Aquino said.
“Brigada Eskwela” was held July 22-27 nationwide to ensure schools' readiness through cleanup and repairs.
A total of 894,076 learners are enrolled in public schools in Ilocos Region as of July 26, based on data from the Policy, Planning and Research division. (PNA)
