The Philippines DepEd has announced it is considering reopening the schools in August. The move comes after national consultation with the public, education stakeholders, and government officials.
Philippines Department of Education(DepEd) is considering opening schools in August. In an interview with the Source, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said her department had been having consultations nationwide and the consensus was tilting towards reopening the schools in August.
Philippines DepEd reopening decision
Briones continued by saying, legally, the school calendar year is supposed to start between the first week of June up to the last day of August. However, the current situation makes it impossible for schools to reopen early. Therefore, DepEd, after consultations with other government officials and education stakeholders, August seemed the most realistic month for reopening.
The school calendar year, which is supposed to run until March 2021, will have fewer academic days should the schools be reopened in August. The DepEd said it was considering introducing Saturday classes to cover for the lost days. These classes would not require face to face attendance as students will be given homework during the weekends.
Allocating more resources for online classes
Briones also stressed that the DepEd was working closely with the country’s coronavirus taskforce to get guidance on dates of reopening. This is to ensure the decision to reopen schools will not endanger students’ lives.
DepEd spokesperson Anna Sevilla said the department was allocating more resources for online classes. She said education has to continue online as they await the decision from the government on when the schools will be reopened.
Philippines Deped scheduled activities such as graduation rates have already been suspended indefinitely to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The department has also struggled in getting all students to continue learning through online resources. Post coronavirus school reopenings have also been a major issue with the department as it forges ahead on the best way to ensure students recover time lost during the lockdown when schools finally resume.
Philippines coronavirus cases have been on the rise, with more than 6,500 people already diagnosed with the disease. The country has also lost 437 as a result of the coronavirus, which has prompted the government to continue the extended lockdown of the country.
Featured image by Pixabay
