DepEd suspends classes in 21 public schools near Batasang Pambansa for SoNA

MANILA (PNA) � The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Friday the suspension of classes in 21 public schools in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City when President Benigno Simeon �Noynoy� Aquino III makes his first State-of-the-Nation Address (SoNA) during the opening of the 15th Congress on Monday.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the class suspension will be in effect at the Batasan Elementary School, Payatas A, B and C Elementary Schools, Payatas B Annex Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and High School, Do�a Juana Elementary School, Commonwealth Elementary School and High School, Commonwealth Annex, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, Culiat Elementary School and High School, New Era Elementary School and High School, Batasan Hills National High School, Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma High School, Holy Spirit High School and the J.F. Belmonte High School.

Private school owners in the area are also expected to make their own announcement on whether to suspend their classes or not on the same day.

The DepEd said the temporary suspension would ensure the safety of students who may get caught in the planned demonstrations and rallies by various civil society and cause-oriented groups during the President�s SoNA.

At the same time, students will also not get caught in traffic jams due to the rallies and the rerouting of vehicles which will be implemented by the Quezon City government for the duration of the SoNA.

Luistro said there is no reason to cancel the classes in the entire metropolis as the rallies will only be limited to several sites such as near the Batasan Complex and Mendiola in Manila.

Several militant teacher and student organizations have declared their intention to participate in the protest rallies.

The authorities have drawn up elaborate security measures during the event, with some 8,000 police and military personnel tasked to guard the Batasan�s premises, the routes that officials and dignitaries are going to take and vital installations all over the metropolis.

Checkpoints have also been set up in strategic sites to prevent any sabotage or terror attacks. (PNA)

Source: MB