Ban on toxic school materials pushed

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) approved resolutions to prepare for the opening of classes in the province next month.

The first of three resolutions authored by PB Member Miguel Antonio Magpale called on the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ban the distribution of toxic school materials.

“With the expected increase of demand for school supplies, unscrupulous suppliers and distributors may flood the market with school supplies with hazardous or toxic materials,” Magpale said.

Magpale said  local government units and the province should monitor and crack down on these  suppliers and distributors.

The PB also asked  all component towns and cities of the province and the Provincial Engineering Office to ensure the safety of pedestrian crossings and sidewalks in public elementary and high schools in Cebu.

Lastly, the PB also approved a resolution urging DepEd to integrate disaster risk reduction into its basic education curriculum offered to elementary pupils.

At least 1,300 teachers will be hired by the Department of Education (DepEd) in Cebu province in preparation for the opening of the classes on June 1.

Dr. Arden Monisit, Cebu provincial schools division superintendent, said they are targeting a ratio of one teacher for every 45 students for the incoming school year.

Monisit said he expects a five percent increase of enrollees for school year 2015-2016 or about half a million students. He said they recorded 450,000 students enrolled in kindergarten, elementary and high school.

Monisit said 241 classrooms were turned over by donors including non-government organizations in areas affected by typhoon supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013.