DAVAO CITY (PIA) - - Almost 5,000 learners and teachers of the Mariano Peralta National High School of Malita North District in Davao Occidental joined in the Galaw Pilipinas morning exercises on Tuesday, August 29, which signaled the official opening of classes for school year 2023-2024.

Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Rommel R. Jandayan of the Department of Education of Davao Occidental graced the first flag raising ceremony in said school.

“We have teachers, mentors, and friends here to support you every step of the way," Cambalon said.

He coined another meaning for the acronym DMNHS in Tagalog, which are “Disiplinado, Matatag, Nananalig sa Diyos, Handa, Seryoso (Disciplined, Strong, Faith in God, Ready, Serious).”

The management and teachers in Lawa National High School, also in Don Marcelino town, also led more than a thousand enrollees, marking the opening of classes with emphasis on DepEd’s new branding under the “Matatag” curriculum and on its thrust of securing quality secondary education in the countryside.

On its social media post, the school “embraces the same zeal of hope to a new educational horizon.”

A day filled with excitement was how the first day of school was described at the Jose Abad Santos Elementary School in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos, as management and teachers hoped for a “year filled with friendships, discoveries, and achievements.”

DepEd officials, teachers and personnel nationwide have led different colorful and vibrant activities to welcome the learners from kinder to senior high school in the opening of classes for school year 2023-2024 on August 29, 2023.   

Based on DepEd Davao region’s quick count update as of August 29, a total of 1,188,945 students are officially enrolled in kinder, elementary, junior high school, and senior high school in public and private schools.

In Davao Occidental, there are a total of 63,659 enrolled students, while Davao de Oro has 182,735; Davao del Norte (101,963); Davao del Sur (99,470); Davao Oriental (96,298).

There are 402,055 enrollees in Davao City, while Digos City has 48,615; Island Garden City of Samal (26,435); Mati City (39,654); Panabo City (54,361); and Tagum City (73,700). (CLC/PIA-XI)