The Department of Education (DepEd) Valenzuela City Division has developed a scheme that might prove to be an effective solution to overcrowding in public schools. With the help of the city’s Local School Board, grade 5 students from Malinta Elementary School – Pinalagad Annex are being bused to Karuhatan West Elementary School.
“Pinalagad Annex was established in 2003 and was originally intended as a primary (grade 1 -4) school,” Schools Division Superintendent Wilfredo Cabral said, adding that busing is an “adaptive” strategy while DepEd and the city government are working out a relocation site.
He added, “We make sure that all students who register in our schools will be accommodated.” He emphasized that DepEd will continue to find ways to deliver what the Filipino learners deserve.
Around 140 students are picked up at 11:30 am at the Pinalagad Annex covered court by six vans and brought back after their 12:00 – 6:00pm shift. The vans are service vehicles of the various schools and the DepEd Division Office, fuel will be charged to the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF).
The students are officially enrolled in Karuhatan West and are accompanied by three teachers from Pinalagad. To ensure the safety of the students, the drivers are also accompanied by staff of the division office to assist in manning students to and from Karuhatan West ES.
Active participation in education
DepEd-Valenzuela consulted with the parents’ association before the implementation of the busing system. The local government unit also collaborated with the division office to ensure proper and safe implementation of the said strategy.
DepEd Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera, “Ang edukasyon ng mga mag-aaral ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng mga guro at magulang. Ito ay responsibilidad ng buong komunidad.” He added that DepEd stays committed in addressing the growing needs of the Filipino learners and continues to urge the active participation of public and private sector in delivering the service to the students.
