Opening of classes still on August 24, Palace says

Published July 20, 2020 02:49 PM By VIRGIL LOPEZ,GMA News

Malacañang said Monday the upcoming school year will begin on August 24 unless the Department of Education will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte to postpone it to a later date, which is allowed under a recently signed law.

“Ang desisyon po ngayon ay August 24. Unless magkakaroon po ng bagong rekomendasyon ang ating Secretary of Education, baka hindi po mabago ‘yung school opening,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Signed

by Duterte on July 17, Republic Act 11480 empowers the President, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Education, to set a different date for the opening of classes in the entire Philippines or in selected areas in times of state of calamity or emergency.

“This certainly gives flexibility to the Executive department kung sa tingin nila mas kinakailangan pa ng mas mahabang panahon bago tayo bumalik sa eskwelahan,” Roque said.

Duterte vowed to support DepEd's plan to implement blended forms of learning, as he stood firm that he will not allow face-to-face classes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

The Philippines has been under a state of public health emergency since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — RSJ, GMA News

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