Amid a major global health scare, lack of school facilities and a bleak economy, it will back to school on Monday for nearly 19 million elementary and high school students in public schools across the archipelago, as the Department of Education (DepEd) opens school year 2009-2010.

The DepEd has been preparing for the opening of classes for several weeks now, through the Oplan Balik Eskwela initiative, and said this year's opening will be "smooth and orderly."

"This year's school opening will be smooth and orderly because of the preparations DepEd initiated with the assistance of its Oplan Balik Eskwela convergence partners," Education chief Jesli Lapus said in a statement Sunday, saying their preparations will not only be beneficial on day one of the school year but "all year round."

DepEd leads Oplan Balik Eskwela, in cooperation with the Departments of Trade and Industry, Health, Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways, Transportation and Communication, Defense, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), weather bureau PAGASA, and Philippine National Police (PNP).

Utility companies Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS), Manila Water and Maynilad are also part of Oplan Balik Eskwela.

From security to seats

In the capital, DepEd officials and schools division superintendents recently met with officials from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and MMDA to finalize security measures that will be put in place to keep public schools free from crime and reduce traffic problems.

Lapus also instructed all DepEd NCR officials and schools district superintendents to work with other education stakeholders and the DepEd Central Office to solve all problems in their respective schools before school opening.

The 'no collection' and 'no uniform' policies are being strictly enforced in public schools to ease the parents' financial burdens.

"The President's directive to allow schoolchildren to go to public schools without having to wear their uniform lessens the expenses parents incur before school opening," Lapus said in a statement.

Also, together with representatives of the DTI and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Lapus monitored the prices of school supplies in Divisoria and reported that the prices are stable.

The DepEd also said last May 20 that the school opening will push through nationwide despite the shortage of 9,000 to 10,000 classrooms and teachers, caused by a increased public school student population.

Virus can't stop school year opening

The newest major obstacle to the opening of classes is the fears to the spread of influenza A (H1N1), after the confirmation of the presence in the country of the new illness in recent weeks.

While Lapus said he recognizes the public concern on the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. He stressed however that "DepEd is constantly being updated by DOH, and we are following their expert advice on this health concern."

There have been calls for the postponement of classes due to the A (H1N1) scare to avoid the possible spread of the virus among students, but the DepEd said classes will start on Monday, with the DOH's recommendation.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Friday that the government will not postpone the school opening because there is still no indication that "there is already sustained community transmission" of the virus.

The DepEd has put in place an anti-A (H1N1) campaign in all schools through DepEd Memo 238, which orders all schools to disseminate information on the prevention and control of diseases.

The department has also ordered all schools to provide soap and water for handwashing as a preventive measure against the flu, particularly the feared A(H1N1) flu.

The DOH and DepEd have also established guidelines for suspension of classes in response to the flu scare.

Parents urged to cooperate

Lapus also urged parents to cooperate with the DepEd in resolving their respective concerns.

"Parents should value their children's education. Our battle cry is simple: Edukasyon ang solusyon, " Lapus said.

"It is the parents' responsibility to let us know of their concerns. Resolving each specific concern requires the cooperation of both DepEd and the community. I urge them to work with us, and our Balik Eskwela Command Center Hotlines are open to receive their queries and complaints," he added.

Until June 5, the public may contact DepEd's Balik Eskwela Command Center Hotlines 6361663, 6331942, 6340222, 6359817, 6363602, 6364880, 6366550, 6387529, 6387530, 6387531 and 7065332.

This center at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm to handle walk-in queries and complaints.

The public may also contact DepEd through SMS by sending their name, address and query to 09194560027 or by texting DEPED FDBK name, address and query and sending it to 2622.

"Education is a team effort. It requires all of us to be involved," Lapus said. "And the success of our Balik Eskwela operations is made possible through the participation of education stakeholders throughout the country."