DepEd allots P1-B for face-to-face classes expansion
The Department of Education (DepEd) allocated around P1-billion as fund for public schools nationwide that are set to join the limited face-to-face classes.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that they expect more schools to have face-to-face classes.
“Nagdadagdag din kami ng resources, in addition to the regular budget, we are spending one billion more to strengthen the progressive expansion para sa mga schools,” Briones said in a statement Tuesday.
“The progressive face-to-face as part of blended learning has already started as early as February and we are anticipating na mas lalong dadami ang mga schools na sasali dahil pagpasok ng NCR, malaking bulto ng eskwelahan yan pati sa other places na nasa level 1 at 2 na,” she added.
Meanwhile, Deped Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla reported that the agency has prepared Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses budget allocations to implement COVID-19 safety measures in schools.
“Kami po ay naghanda na ng pondo para sa pag-prepare natin ng ating progressive expansion ng face-to-face classes. In fact, na-meet na po namin ang ating mga Regional Directors. Marami po sa mga pondo na atin pong pinaghahandaan ay yun pong physical arrangement ng eskuwelahan, yun pong protection and safety ng mga learners at mga guro at syempre yung mga learning resources na kailangan natin,” Sevilla explained.
As of March 10, DepEd reported that there are 6,122 schools out of 8,244 schools that are implementing the limited face-to-face classes nationwide.
“Iba na po ang itsura ng classroom ngayon at iba na rin po yung pagtuturo ng ating mga guro. Kailangan na po ng mga added electronic devices sa mga classroom. Ito po yung mga gastos o budget na ating pinaghahandaan,”. Sevilla added.
DepEd also reiterated that schools will still implement blended learning as the pandemic risks are still there.
