DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, May 19 (PIA) -- Education Sec. Leonor Briones on May 16 led the distribution of school supplies and anti-COVID campaign materials for learners in schools situated in far-flung areas in the province. 

Briones said the last batch of donations from Makati City government as well as from the Department of Education (DepEd) is a great help especially the school and health supplies such as shoes, notebooks, bags, medicines, face masks, among others, to students belonging to the Last Mile Schools here. 

“For the Last Miles Schools which are composed of learners coming from the very poor communities and where facilities are not sufficient like one classroom, kids have to walk without shoes or slippers, and Makati has been sharing their resources to our learners,” said Briones.

The distribution of supplies would prepare the school children and support the safe expansion of face-to-face classes in the province as well as in Dumaguete City.

However, the DepEd official said the learners should be prepared not only for the face-to-face but should catch up with the technology, as DepEd is giving attention to science and technology and engineering for the students to prepare them for life after school.  

Schools Division Superintendent Gregorio Cyrus Elejorde of DepEd Dumaguete City has announced that of the 25 public schools in the city, 10 schools will hold limited face-to-face classes.

Elejorde said almost 6,000 students are expected to participate in the face-to-face classes, but with strict enforcement of health and safety measures as mandated by the Department of Health.

“We can open more schools amid the challenges, but COVID-19 has obliged us to look at some innovations and bring blended learning other than face-to-face,” Briones said. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)