The education and trade departments on Monday said that the prices of school supplies remain stable a week before classes open on June 1.

"Prices of school supplies remain stable and will not contribute to the financial burden of parents," Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus said in a statement.

This came after the DepEd and representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) inspected prices of school supplies in Divisoria Monday as part of preparations for the opening of classes under Oplan Balik Eskwela.

"We are closely working with DTI to see to it that school supplies are affordable for our public school students," Lapus added.

The DepEd chief was joined by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in the price monitoring activity.
 
Oplan Balik Eskwela is a series of preparations for school opening initiated by DepEd. Aside from ensuring that prices of school supplies remain stable, DepEd prohibits the collection of all fees in public schools in June.
 
“DepEd has been undertaking various efforts to encourage parents to send their children to school. We want all Filipino children in school,” Lapus said.