DepEd backs postponement of face-to-face classes

The Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s postponement of the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We understand that the availability and roll out of vaccines in the country are critical factors for this undertaking,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

“In the meantime, we shall continue preparing action plans for this activity should the President give his approval in the coming months.”

On Monday, Malacañang said Duterte thumbed down a resumption of face-to-face classes until August due to the threat of COVID-19. 

By August, physical classes could be considered in areas with a low number of infections.

The DepEd said 1,904 public schools across the country have so far been identified as possible participants for the pilot study.

Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the department will consider a proposal to reduce the number of participating schools to under 1,000. 

The following conditions were previously laid out by the DepEd on the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes:

• “Pilot implementation of face-to-face classes will take place only in areas categorized as low-risk (at least under modified general community quarantine or MGCQ),
• There must be a commitment for shared responsibility of DepEd, the local government unit, the parents or guardians and the providers of transportation,
• Stringent health and safety standards shall be followed at home, during travel to and from the schools, and within school premises.”

“We shall continue to coordinate with national and local authorities and health experts, parents, teachers and service providers. We have also started consulting our various stakeholders to address challenges in the distance learning set-up,” DepEd said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News