Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 20) — Apart from fully implementing face-to-face classes in the coming school year, the Department of Education on Monday said it is also eyeing to conduct remote learning set-up for learners.
“May mga gains at tsaka mga innovations na naipatupad in relation to the distance learning modality. So meron pa ring component na ireretain natin,” Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said in a public briefing.
[Translation: There are gains and innovations we have implemented in relation to distance learning modality. So there are components we will retain.]
“Ngayon nga ay binabalangkas namin ‘yung overall guidelines sa papasok na school year. Ito ‘yung tinatawag namin na learning recovery and continuity towards the new normal at isang component nitong guidelines na ito ay doon sa matter ng learning delivery natin,” Malaluan explained.
[Translation: We are currently drafting the overall guidelines for the coming school year. This is what we call learning recovery and continuity towards the new normal and one component of this is our learning delivery.]
“The extent will be contained in the guidelines. In other words, how many days will be on face-to-face and how many we will allow for remote learning as a combination in that blended learning, we need to carefully look at this,” he added.
With the reopening slated in August, Malaluan said there’s also still a chance to present these to Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, the incoming DepEd secretary, for her to review and for them to come to a consensus.
Meanwhile, for in-person learning, the education official said all schools are seen to be ready for the reopening but it will still depend on the COVID-19 alert level in their areas by that time.
“Based on the most recent guidelines na binigay sa atin ng ating counterparts sa DOH, sa Levels 1 and 2 ay pwede ang face-to-face classes at sa alert level 1 ay irerelax na din sa darating na pasukan ‘yung physical distancing requirements,” Malaluan said.
[Translation: Based on the most recent guidelines given to us by our counterparts in DOH, face-to-face classes are allowed in Levels 1 and 2. In Alert Level 1, physical distancing requirements will be relaxed in the coming school year.]
He added that over 80% of public schools are already compliant with the department’s “readiness requirements,” including the establishment of handwashing facilities and proper ventilation, among others.
