DepEd chief says classes to open on August 24

In a virtual public briefing, Briones said the change in the date of class opening, which is usually in the first week of June, is legal as the law states that classes may open any time between June and August. (File photo: DepEd Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The opening of classes in public and private schools for school year 2020-2021 will be moved from June to August, Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday said.

In a virtual public briefing, Briones said the change in the date of class opening, which is usually in the first week of June, is legal as the law states that classes may open any time between June and August.

“So, ang napili nating school opening date ay August 24 pero hindi ibig sabihin lahat physical na papasok dahil may lockdown sa iba’t ibang lugar. Puwede virtual, puwedeng physical sa mga lugar ina-allow ang physical na pagbukas ng eskwelahan pero officially August 24, tapos matatapos naman ang (August 24 will be the first day of classes but it doesn’t mean physical classes because other areas are under lockdown. It could be virtual, or physical in areas where physical school opening is allowed but officially August 24, then end of) school year by April 30,” Briones said.

The safety and well-being of the learners are the primary factors considered by the Department of Education (DepEd) in moving to a later date the opening of classes.

Earlier, the DepEd had an online survey asking parents, education partners and other stakeholders about their preferred date for the opening of classes.

Over 700,000 respondents recommended August as the best month for the opening of classes.

Briones said there are flexible learning options, with the use of cellphones, televisions, and radios, which can be adopted by schools that cannot conduct in-person classes in August.

Teachers, however, would have to start working in June to prepare for the “new normal” in holding classes.

“Pero ang ating mga teachers, June 1 to 30 pa lang, dahil enrollment period na ito, mag-render na sila ng (But our teachers, they will be working by June 1 to 30 because it’s the enrollment period, they will render) service whether physically or virtually,” she said.