DepEd regional information officer Michelle Catap cited “ initial reports from the 20 school division offices in the region indicating that the transferees included 18 students now enrolled in Angeles City, nine in Zambales, eight in Tarlac province, four in Meycauayan City, four in Gapan City, one in Olongapo City, and one in Aurora.
“As part of the necessary assistance currently being accorded to the displaced learners, DepEd has waived all requirements for enrollment and has prepared these schools to accommodate the influx of transferees including the provision for additional learning materials,” Catap said.
She said “DepEd has also instructed its personnel to accept enrollees until the end of June to make sure that there would be minimal disruption in the learning. We will endeavor to overcome the negative impact of this incident to our students.”
DepEd has estimated that around 20,000 youths have been displaced this school year by the conflict in Marawi where recovery would take time arising from damaged buildings and other properties.
Catap quoted Education Sec. Leonila Briones as saying that “We will continue to advocate and encourage everyone, including those fighting for their cause to respect schools as zones of peace, protect our children from harm and ensure that their learning will be immune from any and all conflicts.”
