DepEd-12 expects 1.3 million students in school today

COTABATO CITY - About 1.3 million elementary and high school students are expected to attend the school year 2015-2016first day of classes in the SOCCSKSARGEN region, the Department of Education (DepEd-12) today said.Dr. Allan Farnazo, DepEd-12 regional director, said all public school teachersare now ready to accept first timers.Farnazo told DXOM-AM Koronadal thatDepEd 12 is expected about 175,000 new enroles from previous number of public school students of 1.120 million during the 2014-2015 school year.He said the Brigada Eskwela was instrumental in making all public schools ready by today.During theBrigada Eskwela or national school maintenance week, schools' stakeholder have volunteered to prepare the school by doingrepair and rehabilitation works of dilapidated classrooms.The week-long event highlighted by bayanihan among parents, students, teachers and even outsiders. Classrooms were painted, decorated and, some were scented.Nationwide, at least 24 million students are expected to attend the first day of classes today.Policemen were also deployed in all schools to ensure safety of students and man traffic flow in front of educational institutions.