DepEd to respect parents’ decision not to enroll kids due to COVID-19 threat

The Department of Education (DepEd) will respect parents' decision not to enroll their children amid the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its spokesperson said on Monday.

While the department encouraged parents to participate, DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said they cannot force them to enroll their children.

“Sa bandang huli, igagalang natin ang desisyon ng mga magulang sa kabila nito,” Nepomuceno said in an interview  on Dobol B sa News TV.

“Sa tingin nila, gusto nilang ipagpaliban, na nasa kanila po ‘yan. Hindi natin sila kayang piliting lumahok pero ine-encourage natin sila,” he added.

According to Malaluan, the interventions that will be placed during the resumption of class amid the pandemic will also benefit the education system in a longer term.

Even before COVID-19 crisis, Malaluan said, distance learning was already being considered as a solution to challenges faced by students, such as the Metro Manila traffic problem.

He pointed out that the COVID-19 situation only compelled its abrupt implementation.

Teachers' Dignity Coalition chair Benjo Basas agreed with the continuity of learning of students. However, he said the preparation for it needs more time.

“We hope that by August 24, the system is ready and our teachers would be prepared for these kinds of modalities in teaching and learning,” Basas said in a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“Ang pinakamalaking challenge po dito [ay] kapag involved na ‘yung ating mga bata at ang mga magulang dito sa new learning modalities na pinakikilala ng Department of Education,” Basas added. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News