BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged parents in Negros Occidental to enroll their children in school, pointing out that the latter’s education is the best investment they could make.
Lacson’s statement came after the Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Negros Occidental reported a 13-percent drop in the number of enrollees in public schools for school year (SY) 2023-2024.
The governor said he wanted to know the reasons behind the drop in enrollment.
“I’m really trying to figure out why. I don’t understand why parents decided not to enroll their children,” Lacson said.
However, the governor is hopeful that the number of enrollees will pick up as DepEd-Division of Negros Occidental announced it will continue to accept late enrollees for the next two months.
Based on available information, among the reasons why parents have not yet enrolled their children were the recent price increases in school supplies, particularly uniforms, food and other commodities.
DepEd-Division of Negros Occidental spokesperson Ian Arnaiz said as of Sept. 1 the quick count indicated approximately 294,000 students enrolled from kindergarten to senior high school in the province.
Arnaiz further attributed the decline in student population to migration and delayed enrollment of young learners.
Classes in public schools for SY 2023-2024 opened on Aug. 29. In Negros Occidental, the first day of classes in several schools was suspended due to inclement weather.
Some schools resumed classes on Aug. 30 and 31. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
