SCHOOL OPENING.The Janiuay National Comprehensive High School in Janiuay town, Iloilo province holds its first flag ceremony as classes officially opened on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022). Hernani Escullar Jr., regional information officer of DepEd Western Visayas, said enrolment in the region increased by 2.11 percent this school year.(Photo courtesy of L. Quinon/DepEd Tayo Iloilo Province FB page) ILOILO CITY-Learners who enrolled in Western Visayas this school year have reached 2,148,517, or 2.11 percent higher from the previous year's 2,104,060, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) learner information quick count as of Aug. 20. "This is a good indicator since based on the data, almost (all) of the regions exceeded their enrolment data when compared with the previous school year. This shows that gradually our economy is recovering and our parents opted to enroll their children because they know that they are safe in school," said Hernani Escullar Jr., regional information officer of the DepEd in Western Visayas. He said 858 public schools in the region are now implementing the five-day in-person classes, 2,915 settled for blended learning, and 236 went into full distance learning. The region has 3,220 elementary, 190 integrated, and 635 secondary public schools. Schools opened smoothly and no major incidents were recorded on Monday amid the inclement weather that is being experienced in the region, the information officer said. Parents bringing their children to school were reminded to always wear their face masks and follow health protocols. "The guidelines set by local government units such as wearing of face masks, safe physical distancing, and frequent hand washing are being observed all the time inside our schools," he added. They also ensure that classrooms have proper ventilation. The challenge, he said, was learners who experience separation anxiety and apprehension due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). "We are doing psycho-social intervention to let the parents and learners know that our schools are safe," Escullar said. (PNA) }