By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The number of enrollees in the province has dropped by more than 13 percent this year, a monitoring from the Department of Education (DepEd)-Schools Division of Negros Occidental showed.

Ian Arnaiz, DepEd-Negros Occidental spokesperson, said the current quick count indicates that there are approximately 294,000 students enrolled in the province.

Arnaiz explained the decline in the student population this year can be attributed to various factors, including migration and delayed enrollment of young learners.

The opening of classes was initially scheduled on August 29, but was postponed due to heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Some schools resumed classes on August 30 and 31.

Meanwhile, classes are set to begin in Pulupandan town next week.

According to Arnaiz, 37 schools were affected by floods in the municipalities of Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Murcia, Pulupandan, San Enrique, and Valladolid.

The floodwaters have already receded, and evacuees who sought shelter in schools have returned to their homes.

Public schools in Negros Occidental will still accommodate late enrollees for the next two months./DGB, WDJ