The opening of classes was very peaceful as the police did not recrord any crime targeting school officials, students, and their parents.
Sr. Insp. Maria Teresita Gaspan, the spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office, said they are deploying two police officers for each public school.
The cops were also ordered not just to guard the peace but also to assist both the students and parents to ensure that the first week of school goes without a hitch.
At least two Traffic Group personnel are also assigned to assist the children in crossing the street and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles.
The city has 364,597 elementary and high school students who returned to schools .
“The opening of classes all over Region XI was smooth,” said Jenelito Atillo, the spokesperson of Department of Education (DEPED) XI.
He said they are still open for the late enrollees.
Alberto Escobarte, the DepEd XI director, also visited the schools, particularly those that have been experiencing floods during strong rains.
“So far it is normal. Classes started but we really continue to look for ways, especially for those low-lying schools,” he added.
On the other hand, Supt. Ernesto Castillo, the head of the DCPO’s Traffic Group, said at least 1.5 million students in the region have started to return to school.
Atillo said they projected 1,553,630 students –1,161,040 in public schools and 196,295 in private schools in both primary and secondary levels—in the region for this school year.
In the public schools, they projected 732,294 in elementary (including kindergarten), 362,836 in junior high school, and 65,910 (in senior high school).
In the private schools, they projected 66,476 in elementary (including kindergarten), 62,970 in junior high school, and 66,849 (in senior high school).
The region has a total of 3,267 public and private schools; 624 are in the city.
