'Oplan Balik Eskwela' to ease the opening of classes on June 4 -- DepEd

MANILA, May 14 (PNA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is scheduled to initiate an inter-agency task force that will ensure the smooth opening of classes for school year 2012-2013 on June 4.


DepEd Secretary Armin A. Luistro said that in connection with this, the task force shall conduct “Oplan Balik Eskwela” (OBE) from May 28 until June 8.


According to the DepEd chief, the OBE is the department’s solution to the problems commonly encountered during the early part of the school year, especially concerns on the enrollment process, and if the students would be able to attend school.


DepEd Memorandum No. 83 stipulates that this year’s OBE shall include convergence, information dissemination and information and action center (IAC).


Convergence means the involvement of government agencies which have concerns on school opening matters.


The inter-agency task force shall be composed of the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Defense (DND), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Health (DOH), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).


As for information dissemination, DepEd shall distribute press releases, conduct press conferences, media interviews, website posting and other available medium to update the public on important information. The department can also be reached by the public through its DETxt facility.


For the "Oplan Balik Eskwela" duration, information and complaints processing and routing mechanism shall be done at the information and action center that will be located at the DepEd Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.


The action center will be manned by representatives from the Office of the (DepEd) Secretary, the Office of the Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Office of the Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, Office of the Undersecretary for Programs and Projects, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Programs and Projects; Bureaus of Elementary Education (BEE), Secondary Education (BSE), and Alternative Learning System (BALS);


Health and Nutrition Center (HNC), National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC), Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF), Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS), Administrative Service (AS), Office of the Planning Service (OPS), Technical Service (TS), Employees Welfare and Benefits Division (EWBD), and Accounting/Budget Division. (PNA)