By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The scheduled opening of classes in all public schools yesterday, August 29, did not push through after heavy rainfall generated by the enhanced southwest monsoon forced several local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to suspend classes.

Department of Education (DepEd) Negros Occidental Schools Division spokesperson Ian Arnold Arnaiz said even in the absence of LGU-mandated suspensions, individual school heads have the authority to declare suspensions if they observe that students are being adversely affected by the rain.

Arnaez pointed out such decisions are usually made in coordination with the Schools Division Office.

He further pointed out that some of the students in the province have to travel long distances, especially those residing in the mountainous areas.

Some of the schools had also been converted into evacuation centers.
As of press time, among the LGUs that already declared a second day of suspension of classes were Don Salvador Benedicto, Pulupandan and La Carlota City.

As of August 26, DepEd-Negros Occidental has recorded a total of 234,000 enrollees in various schools – lower than the 300,000 enrollees recorded during the last school year.

Arnaiz added that schools will continue to accommodate late enrollees for the next two months. /DGB, WDJ