DepEd assures no face-to-face classes until COVID-19 vaccine is available

Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced today that there will be no face-to-face classes until there is a COVID-19 vaccine.

“We will comply with the President’s directive to postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available,” Briones said.

As pronounce earlier by President Duterte, he will not allow physical classes until the vaccine is available. He could not risk the lives and safety of the students.

“We assure our parents, learners, stakeholders, and the President that we are preparing ourselves for this mission,” the secretary said.

DepEd is in thorough planning of alternatives to continue delivering education without physical return to school.

“Indeed, it is a challenging task for us at the Department of Education to prepare our schools in a different set-up but we are committed to our duty to make education available and thriving, even in the most difficult time,” Briones said.

“We are updating our policies, realigning our finances, and collaborating with our partners so that our goals of providing quality education and protecting the safety and health of our constituents will be achieved,” she added.

Deped is set to open classes on August 24 and currently starting its online and remote enrollment.

“Meanwhile, the groundwork for blended learning is well underway. Radio, television, online and modular learning – which are pre-existing methods and were already used for decades – are being prepared and updated for this year,” Briones said.

“We are working with the private sector and education experts to make these necessary steps logistically sound, especially on the development, acquisition, and deployment of learning resources”, she added.

“Finally, with our stakeholders coming together, we can leap towards achieving our ultimate goal – of making education a symbol of hope amidst doubts and uncertainties,” she concluded.