The Department of Education insisted on continuing the scheduled opening of classes under the blended learning modality on August 24 despite receiving calls of postponement.
“While the dialogue is going on sa social media, as far as we are concerned, talagang August 24 ang target date [we’re really sticking with the August 24 target date],” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a Monday media briefing.
“Kung masa-stuck tayo sa basic education, delayed din ang supply natin ng professionals na kailangan natin dito sa ating bansa… Ang mga bata, kung sila ang tatanungin, gusto nilang mag-aral talaga. Let us not wait na dadating ang panahon na wala na silang interes mag-aral,” she added.
According to Briones, the agency is currently preparing for new teaching methods including integrated internet-based sessions, radio and TV broadcasts as well as self-learning modules depending on what is available in their area.
Briones said that it is time for basic education classes to resume in the country along with other neighboring nations such as Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam where their students will return even back inside classrooms.
The secretary added that there is no reason to delay the opening of classes because as many as 22.9 million students are already enrolled for the new school year.