WATCH

Teachers, students attend virtual flag ceremony on first day of classes

School year 2020-2021 started on Monday with a virtual flag ceremony led by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Teachers of Boracay National High School in Aklan were among those who "attended" the flag ceremony, according to GMA News reporter Ian Cruz.

The flag ceremony was shown online, enabling teachers and students nationwide to participate.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones formally opened the school year on Monday, declaring victory over COVID-19 as it was not able to stop education.

"Today, we celebrate a great victory! We declare our victory over COVID 19–the Destroyer of our lives and Destroyer of our economy and of our society. But we will not allow COVID-19 to destroy our children’s education and their future!," she said.

Briones said more than 24 million students are enrolled this school year.

"Today, 24,753,906 learners, supported by nearly fifty million parents, grandparents, yayas, kuyas, and ates; and 866,512 devoted and self-sacrificing teachers plus division superintendents, district supervisors, heads of schools, regional officials and central office executives—all of us are participating in the opening of classes this 5th day of October 2020," she said.

Lessons this school year may be given via online classes, or via use of printed modules, or use of TV and radio due to the COVID-19 threat. —KG, GMA News