Highlights of the School Calendar and Activities for SY 2020-2021

DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones presented the Learning Continuity Plan for basic education in the time of COVID-19 and the highlights of the school calendar and activities for SY 2020-2021, duly approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), during the online press conference on May 11, 2020.

The presentation was entitled “Education Must Continue”, very timely amidst the pandemic situation. Teachers and students are expected to adopt on the new normal education, we need to continue our lives with the presence of virus threat and we need to survive and learn how to live with it.

DepEd already announced that opening of classes is scheduled on August 24 and will end on April 30.

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Here are some of the highlights of the school calendar and activities:

After consultations and internal discussion, DepEd has reached a decision to set the opening of School Year (SY) 2020 – 2021 on August 24, 2020.

However, the days in August prior to the formal school opening will be used to provide learners with assignments to explore foundational topics for deepening during the year , orientation on the alternative learning delivery modalities and corresponding learners’ materials, and mental health and ppsychosocial support activities. These pre-opening activities devoted to the attainment of the learning objectives for the school year, as in #1, shall be counted as class days.

The school year will end on APRIL 30, 2021.

Because of the compressed school year, I am exercising the prerogative to authorize the conduct of distance learning activities on Saturdays. Should religious consideration prohibit these Saturday activities, they shall be undertaken on Sundays. In all, the total class days in the 2020-2021 school calendar will be 203 days.

School opening will not necessarily mean traditional face-to-face learning in classroom.

The physical opening of schools will depend on the risk severity grading or classification of a locality, pursuant to guidelines of the DOH, IATF or the OP. Even in areas where schools are allowed to open, physical distancing will still be required, which will necessitate tocombine face-to-face learning with distance learning.

Schools and CLCs, under the supervision of the Regional and Division Offices, are authorized to decide on the specific learning delivery modalities.

Delivery modalities such as blended and online learning delivery modes through the Learning Resources portal and DepEd Commons; use of TV and radio; and learning modules and packets both in print and digital formations; which may be deemed appropriate in their context. Where face-to-face modality is allowed, there shall be a maximum of 15 to 20 learners in each class in compliance with the social distancing measures set by the DOH.

Private school and state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/ LUCs) offering basic education will be allowed to open classes within the period authorized by Republic Act No. 7797, which is on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August, Provided:

No face-tof-ace classes will be allowed earlier than August 24, 2020, and from then on, face-to-face classes may be conducted only in areas allowed to open physically.
Private schools, SUCs and LUCs offering basic education are enjoined to submit their plan for compliance with minimum health standards that will be issued by DepEd, consisted with guidelines by the Department of Health (DOH), the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the OP.
They are also enjoined to submit their Learning Continuity Plan showing alternative delivery modes of learning when face-to-face learning is not allowed, in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by DepEd.
Said Schools should notify in advance their respective regional offices (ROs) regarding any deviation from the school calendar.

Teacher shall start rendering service on June 1, 2020, upon completion of summer vacation on May 31, 2020.

They will attend orientation and training activities on the utilization of the distance learning delivery modalities, prepare instructional materials, and plan the organization of classes in consideration of the learning delivery modalities, prepare instructional materials, and plan the organization of classes om consideration of the learning delivery modalities to be employed. If skeleton workforce will be still be the operative government guidelines by June, DepEd shall issue the appropriate alternative work arrangement guidelines to the field comply with prevailing policy, and to ensure safe work environment.

Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela will be undertaken from June 1, 2020 to August 29, 2020. Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd will be scheduled in September 2020. Separate guidelines for these activities will be issued.

The conduct of activities related to Palarong Pambansa shall be decided separately by the Palarong Pambansa Board.