PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed its regional and division supervisors in Western Mindanao to monitor the first week of opening of classes starting June 6 in various public and private elementary and secondary schools in the eight schools divisions of the region, it was learned here.

Dr. Walter O. Albos, DepEd Region 9 director, required the supervisors to resolve on the spot whatever problems encountered by teachers and school administrators relative to the initial week of classes.

Albos expected smooth opening of schools in the divisions of Zamboanga del Sur, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City, Dapitan City, and Basilan (Isabela City).

Earlier, Albos directed all school principals to admit all enrolling children even as he reminded them of Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro’s policy of non-collection of school fees in Grades 1, 2, and 3, and for teachers not to involve themselves in the collection of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) fees.

The DepEd regional chief also required all schools to devote at least 180 days of the 202 school days of School Year (SY) 2011-2012, which ends on March 30, 2012, to actual teaching-learning activities.

Albos said Luistro stipulated that the 180-day policy is mandatory in all public schools with the remaining 22 days “to be utilized for national and local events and celebrations, national division and regional achievement tests, contests and activities authorized by the central and regional offices."