As classes start on Monday using online and modules method of learning

DISTANT LEARNING. With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the country, to include Eastern Visayas, face-to-face method of learning remains to be not an option with the new school term formally started Monday (Sept.13). Photo shows pictures of Grade II students enrolled at the Dona Brigida Elementary School in Tolosa, Leyte placed on empty chairs. (MELVIN AMARGO)

TACLOBAN CITY- About 954,073 students across the region are now enrolled for this school year which started Monday (Sept 13).
Jasmin Calzita, information officer of the Department of Education (DepEd), said that they expect the number of enrollment to further increase as enrollment is still underway.
The enrollment will last until the end of this month.
The region had an enrolment of 1.26 million in last school year.
And just like in the past school year, students in the region are still to observe blended learning method which means either they will have modules or through online classes as Eastern Visayas continue to experience surge of coronavirus disease(COVID-19).
But Calzita said that despite of the challenges brought by the pandemic, teachers in the region are ready to start their classes beginning Monday (Sept.13).
“Our teachers are always ready despite of the limitations brought by the current health situation,” she said.
Calzita said that considering of the experiences that they have encountered during last year’s first implementation of the distance learning, they will be adopting more measures to ensure that students will still have quality education like the strengthening of the radio and television-based instructions.
The DepEd in the region also expressed its gratitude to all local officials for their continued support to them, especially during this time of pandemic.
“The local government units and our education partners have been extending their full support to our basic education learning continuity plan since the onset of pandemic. Regional Director Gemma (Ledesma) is grateful for their robust partnership with them,” Calzita.
Tacloban City Alfred Romualdez has donated P50,000 to all public elementary and secondary schools in the city to augment their school expenses for this school year.
Both Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone have also vowed their continued support to DepEd, especially during this time of pandemic.
Gov. Petilla, aside from praising the teachers for their efforts during this time of pandemic, has also gave credit to the ‘sacrifices’ of their parents who are helping their children on their lessons and gathering their modules from the schools.
Gov. Evardone said that teachers will be given priority for the vaccination against COVID-19 to ensure their safety against the dreaded virus.
For his part, Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy has encouraged the parents to enroll their children of school age.