By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he wants to know the reason behind the drop in school enrollments in the province this year.

“I’m really trying to figure out the reasons for the drop. I don’t understand why parents decide not to enroll their children,” Lacson said.

Lacson is currently urging parents to enroll their children in schools.

He said education is still the best investment parents could give to their children.

The governor hopes the number of enrollees will pick up as the Department of Education-Schools Division in Negros Occidental (DepEd-NegOcc) announced they will continue to accept late enrollees for the next two months.

DepEd-NegOcc reported a 13 percent drop in the number of enrollees in public schools.

Based on available information, among the reasons why parents have not yet enrolled their children in schools are the recent price increases on school supplies, uniforms, food, and other commodities.

Ian Arnaiz, DepEd-NegOcc spokesperson, said their current quick count showed there are approximately 294,000 students enrolled in the province.

Arnaiz attributed the decline in the student population due to other factors, including migration and delayed enrollment of young learners.

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

However, some schools resumed classes on August 30 and 31./DGB, WDJ