• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Department of Education announced April 12 that no face-to-face classes will be held on April 15 and 16 in all public schools nationwide.
“In order to allow learners to complete pending assignments, projects, and other requirements as the end of school year is fast-approaching, all public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on April 15-16,” the DepEd said in its advisory.
Likewise, teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their respective stations, it added.
Activities organized by regional and schools’ division offices, such as regional athletic association meets and other division or school level programs already slated on these dates “may push through as scheduled”, the DepEd said.
It stressed that private schools are not covered by the advisory but shall have the option to also implement alternative delivery modes (ADM) of instructional or learning modalities.
This is the second time this month that DepEd suspended face-to-face classes in all public schools nationwide, the first one was on April 8, also to “allow learners to complete pending assignments, projects, and other requirements.”
It also clarified that the gradual shift of the school calendar, as provided under DepEd Order No. 3, was the result of extensive consultations held with field personnel, student leaders, parent organizations, and teacher organizations.
The order, dated Feb. 19, 2024, states that the adjusted date of the end of school year (EOSY) shall be on May 31 this year, while the school break shall be from June 1 to July 26, 2024.
“No voluntary or mandatory tasks or activities shall be assigned to teachers from June 1 to 30, 2024,” DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte said in the order, adding that Brigada Eskwela shall be conducted from July 22-27.
School year 2024-2025 shall start on July 29 and shall end on May 16, 2025, Duterte added.
“DepEd recognizes the clamor to gradually revert the school calendar to the pre-pandemic opening of classes,” she said, adding that the department places the highest priority on ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of learners and teachers. | CGC
