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DepEd Leyte tracks down over 16K unenrolled learners

By Sarwell Meniano

August 18, 2020, 5:53 pm

<p><strong>TRACKING DOWN</strong>. The Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte field office in Palo town. DepEd on Tuesday (Aug. 18, 2020) is tracking down over 16,000 learners in Leyte province who have not yet enrolled this school year despite massive information drive to participate in the new normal learning. <em>(Photo courtesy of DepEd Leyte)</em></p>

TRACKING DOWN. The Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte field office in Palo town. DepEd on Tuesday (Aug. 18, 2020) is tracking down over 16,000 learners in Leyte province who have not yet enrolled this school year despite massive information drive to participate in the new normal learning. (Photo courtesy of DepEd Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday said it is tracking down over 16,000 learners in Leyte province who have yet to enroll this school year despite massive information drive to participate in the "new normal" learning.

Citing reports from schools, DepEd Leyte schools division head Manuel Albaño said many parents are reluctant to enroll their children due to lack of phones and laptops required for online learning.

The DepEd has been sending personnel from the planning and research unit to help school officials convince parents to participate in learning despite the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) health crisis.

Education officials have been informing the public that everyone can participate in the new learning scheme even in areas without internet access since teachers will distribute printed modules to children.

“We have a team going to different areas to find these children. With the extension of the opening of classes from August 24 to October 5, we are optimistic we can find all of them,” Albaño told reporters in a press briefing.

As of Tuesday, there are still 16,615 learners who are not yet enrolled. Of the more than 363,000 children registered in 1,259 elementary and secondary schools in the past academic year, only 347,333 have signed up this school year, DepEd said.

Aside from online enrollment, school officials placed boxes to pick up and drop enrollment forms in some villages, conducted mobile enrollment by setting up booths and kiosks, and teachers reached out to students through mobile phones and other means. (PNA)


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