DepEd: Opening of classes in August sans vaccine for COVID-19

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones has reiterated her call for the opening of classes on August 24.

Briones said during the Laging Handa briefing that the DepEd will not allow the students’ learning process to be interrupted while they wait for a vaccine for COVID-19. Vaccine development may take 10 months to one year.

“Sa buong mundo, opening na ng school, sa Europe, sa Asia at saka sa America. At hindi naman nakikiuso tayo, pero ayaw nating maantala o ma-interrupt ang learning process ng mga bata (In other parts of the world, Europe, Asia and America, schools are opening. We are not joining a fad, we just want to avoid interrupting the learning process of the children),” Briones said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he will not allow the opening of classes if a vaccine for COVID-19 is not yet available.

Briones however emphasized that the DepEd is not contradicting Duterte since it also supports the idea of opening classes, albeit using different alternative learning systems such as online classes or blended and flexible learning systems.

She said DepEd agrees with Duterte on not allowing face-to-face or physical classes.

“Sinasabi namin na ang ating program is consistent with that of the president. Patuloy pa rin ang edukasyon sa ibang pamamaraan (Our program is consistent with the president’s. Education continues in other ways),” Briones said.

DepEd said the enrollment for public schools in the country will be from June 1 until June 30.