The Department of Education said on Monday that private schools may open in June, but has discouraged ‘face-to-face learning’ earlier than August 24, 2020.
According to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, this is "because we have an existing law which states the first week of June up to last day of August will allow the opening of schools."
She added that even if schools will open on August 24, “it does not mean all of these activities will be face-to-face activities.”
The Education department has set set the opening of the school year 2020-2021 on August 24, 2020 and to end on April 30, 2021.
Briones also said that face-to-face learning “shall only be allowed when the local risk severity grading permits, and subject to compliance with minimum health standards.”
Briones added that the DepEd may adopt various learning delivery options such as, but not limited to, face-to-face blended learnings, distance learnings, and homeschooling and other modes of delivery “depending on the local COVID Risk Severity Classification and compliance with the minimum health standards.”
Briones also said that the conduct of curricular and co-curricular gatherings such as science fairs, showcase of portfolios, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival of talents, and job fairs are “canceled,” except for those which are conducted online.
Briones likewise assured the public that the government is taking steps to make distance learning available to all, especially to students who do not have access to the internet or mobile services.
“By distance learning, we mean all the other traditional ways by which learning has been delivered outside of face-to-face,” she said.
“For example we have noticed a frequent observation and is that not all phases in the country have access to ICT, or to platforms. We also noticed that there are more cellphones than humans in the Philippines…so cellphones can be a medium of transmission,” she added.
“And then we also have television. Many of us right now in the Philippines have access to television. And, finally, if there are places where there is no television, we have the classic way of transmitting knowledge and news, which is radio.”
She also bared that the Presidential Communications Operations Office has offered to use the government’s television and radio stations for the implementation of the DepEd’s learning continuity plan.