The recent allocation of P339 million will be used to purchase workbooks, school supplies, T-shirts or uniforms, and bags for which the city spent some P235 million last year.

Mayor Jejomar Binay said the increased allocation anticipates an upward trend in enrollment in public elementary and high schools for the coming school year, as in the past years.

A report by Makati Schools Superintendent Elena Ruiz shows that in the last school year alone, 77,556 students enrolled in the city’s public schools compared to the 76,100 enrolees for the 2004-2005 school year.

Ruiz told Binay that the heavy turnout of enrollees last year, especially in first year high school, prompted the city government to purchase additional workbooks to maintain a 1:1 workbook-per student ratio in all subjects.

But Ruiz also reported that as in previous school years, increase in enrollment for the coming school year can be partly attributed to transferees from private schools in and outside the city.

She said the city government has made the necessary preparations for the coming school year, including the completion and expansion of four public schools, and the construction of two more school buildings in addition to the existing 75 school buildings in the city’s two districts.