The academic year is set to resume on September 13, which will still be conducted through “blended learning” due to the spike of Covid-19 cases in past weeks but DepEd is seriously considering the immediate return to normal system since keeping schools closed could result in earning loss, mental distress, and heightened risk of dropout.
STATING that the continued absence of in-person classes could severely affect the students’ physical and mental well-being, the Department of Education is eyeing conducting pilot face-to-face classes in 120 schools in the country, as it prepares for the resumption of classes this month.
“We are informed that the DOH has approved 120 schools for the planned pilot face-to-face classes, subject to approval by [the] President,” said DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan.
He added that the number came upon the request of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones that more private schools be allowed to hold physical classes.
“No identified private schools yet; we will disclose the process upon approval of the Joint DepEd-DOH guidelines,” said Malaluan.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has said the Philippines is among the five countries that have not resumed in-person classes since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
It explained that the consequences of keeping schools closed are “learning loss, mental distress, missed vaccinations, and heightened risk of dropout, child labor, and child marriage.”
The academic year is set to resume on September 13, which will still be conducted through “blended learning” due to the spike of Covid-19 cases in past weeks.
Tags: #DepartmentOfEducation, #facetofaceclasses, #Covid19, #blendedlearning