Oct. 5 class opening draws mixed reactions from teachers, parents

The postponement of the opening of School Year 2020-2021 from August 24 to October 5 drew some mixed reactions from teachers and parents, according to Cedric Castillo’s Friday report on 24 Oras.

Laong-Laan Elementary School faculty president Alberto Muros said he was in favor of the deferment as their school has yet to complete their modules.

“Ang kahandaan po ay hindi sapat. Ang totoo po niyan, hindi pa naman kumpleto ang aming module eh,” he said.

Antonio Tolentino said he was also in favor of the postponement so that the Department of Education can implement safety guidelines for teachers.

“Kinagagalak namin na ang pag-postpone, nawa mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga guro at mag-aaral na mapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jesbeel Pimentel, a master teacher, said she could not fully support the postponement as they were already all set for an August 24 opening.

“Nagulat po kami sa bagong balita dahil kami po dito ay handa na po para sa pagbubukas po sana ng klase sa August 24,” she said.

“Kami po ay nalulungkot dahil excited na rin ang mga mag-aaral lalo na ang mga guro sa August 24 na opening,” Principal Zaldy Bornea added.

Moreover, a parent argued that the government should have pushed through with the original date to not burden the students more.

“Dapat tuloy na ‘yong (pasukan) kasi ganoon din eh kahit na i-adjust, parehas din naman eh kaya mas maaga sana kung nitong August 24. Kasi katulad sa amin, naka-ready na kami,” she said.

DepEd earlier announced that President Rodrigo Duterte had approved its recommendation to move the opening of School Year 2020-2021 from August 24 to October 5.

Secretary Leonor Briones said they submitted the recommendation to Duterte last August 6 after Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal reverted to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

She said the postponement applies to both public and private schools, although the latter schools that had started classes would be allowed to proceed as long as they comply with the minimum health standards set by the government.

Briones reiterated that there would still be no face-to-face learning to ensure the safety of students and school staff despite the deferment of the school opening.

She also said this would be the final adjustment to the school opening. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News