1st day of school starts well; teachers watch for A(H1N1)

MANILA, Philippines – While the first day of school went off to a relatively smooth start Monday, school authorities kept close watch over students for signs of the A(H1N1) virus.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Monday he ordered all schools to make sure they have running water and teachers to monitor symptoms of the disease.

In an interview on dzBB Lapus said the Department of Education (DepEd) would make sure there is enough running water so pupils could wash their hands. Teachers would be on hand to check for symptoms of flu. He added that the DepEd and Health department have set up a response alert system similar to that of typhoons that would allow school authorities to suspend classes if needed.

During the weekend, the Departments of Health and Education junked last-minute calls to suspend classes over the A(H1N1) scare, saying it may cause panic and disrupt preparations for the opening of classes in 43,000 schools nationwide.

On the other hand, Lapus urged parents to call their “Oplan Balik Eskwela" command center at 636-1663 and text 0919-4560027 for complaints. He said the DepEd has quick response teams that are on call from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Mula last week, Sabado at Linggo marami tayong natatanggap at nare-resolve na mga problema [We have a quick response team from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. We have been receiving complaints since last week and we have acted on them]," Lapus said in an interview on dzXL radio.

In a separate interview on dzXL radio, Lapus also reminded school authorities against collecting fees of any kind during this month. He said voluntary fees can be collected from Grade Five and up only starting July.

“Dapat walang bayaran sa public school … Mula prep hanggang Grade 4 sa buong school year dapat walang bayaran [There are no fees to be paid in public schools. From prep to Grade 4 there are absolutely no fees]," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.

For her part, Department of Education (DepEd) Metro Manila director Teresita Domalanta said there were no reports from the field recommending suspension of classes. Up to now there is no report by any superintendent recommending to suspend classes. Even in Navotas where there is flooding, there is no recommendation to suspend classes, she said on dzBB radio. Domalanta and Lapus were at Rizal National High School in Pasig City to inspect the opening of classes in schools in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando urged the public to call their hotline at 136 to report “pocket" floods.

“Umuulan ngayon, kami ay humahanda riyan [It’s raining now and we are preparing for it]," he said.

In Quezon City, radio dzBB’s Louie Garcia reported that students started showing up at Ramon Magsaysay High School in Cubao as early as 5 a.m.

The first shift included first- and fourth-year students whose classes were scheduled from 6 a.m. to noon. A second shift of second- and third-year students was to hold classes from 1 to 7 p.m. At least 5,000 students had enrolled there as of Monday morning, but teachers there expect the number of students to go up to 7,000.

In Pasay City, dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported that police kept close watch as well over bus terminals as students were expected to arrive from the provinces.

GMANews.TV

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