2M Bicol students back to school today

By Marlon A. Loterte

Monday 4th of June 2012

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- Around two million students in Bicol troop back to schools today for the start of the school year 2012-2013, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office.

Dr. Jose Bonto, DepEd Bicol administrative officer, the number is comprised of more than 200,000 kindergarten pupils, 1.5 million elementary students and almost 400,000 secondary students.

Bonto also said that enrollees, both in public elementary and secondary schools increased by two percent, which is attributed to the transfer of some students from private schools due to high or recent tuition fees.

Bonto reiterated the free basic education policy of the state which is provided by the constitution.

Dr. Regina Vibar, DepEd Bicol Elementary Division head, meanwhile said the teacher per pupil ratio in the region is 1:40, but for big schools such may reach 1:60 ratio, adding that the book per pupil ratio for the first grade is 1:1 and for Grades 2 to 6 is 1:2.

Vibar mentioned Bicol’s ranking in last year National Achievement Test went up by three steps.

Among the regions in the country, Bicol placed eighth, with 62 percent achievement.

Vibar is very optimistic to achieve the 75 percent rating this school year.

Bonto reminded the teachers during the opening of classes today, “Teachers should always wear a smile, being the students’ second parents.”

Furthermore Bonto mentioned, it takes a community to educate a child. (MAL/NIMediavillo RNB-PIA5)