Briones maintains August 24 class opening despite new law allowing President to set date

Education Secretary Leonor Briones maintained that classes for School Year 2020-2021 will start on August 24 despite the new law allowing the President to set the date beyond schedule.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Briones said all the department's preparations were geared toward the August 24 opening. 

“Right now, hindi namin 'yan pinag-uusapan, 'yung opening of classes, maski meron nang batas na nagbigay ng kapangyarihan sa Presidente na mag-determine ng opening of classes,” she said.

“Kaya 'yung opening natin, tuloy pa rin at nakakasa na talaga by August 24. I am confident na ready na ready na, lahat naka-sechedule, naka-gear towards August 24.”

Briones said the new law, Republic Act 11480, has no Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) yet, so the DepEd is sticking with the August 24 date.

The new law amended Republic Act 7797, which set the opening of classes as early as the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11480 that allows the chief executive to set at any date the opening of classes in case of a state of calamity or emergency. —KBK, GMA News