AS long as the law – stating that the opening of classes can range from the first day of June to the last day of August – will not be repealed, the opening of classes for the school year (SY) 2020- 2021 will push through on August 24, Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones said at the weekend.
“So we start on August 24. There is no change. This is declared by the Department of Education, approved by the IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force] and also declared by no less than Mr. President [Rodrigo R. Duterte] himself. We said this last May, and still remains the same because as a trusted department of the government, we have to be in line with the requirements of law,” Briones said. She was referrering to Republc Act 7797 which originally mandates the Secretary of Education to set the start of the basic education school year between the first Monday of June and the last day of August.
Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also called for the postponement of class opening until next year to be able to fully prepare for the distance learning required by circumstance, as the Covid-19 pandemic makes face-to-face classes too risky.
In May, the League of Provinces of the Philippines, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines also made the same appeal.
But for Briones, the law has to be followed.
“We cannot go beyond that [August 24] as long as that law is not repealed or amended at all because you can range the opening of classes from the first day of June, first week of June to the last day of August,” Briones said, noting that even neighboring countries have started to open schools already.
“Tayo, we’ll be the last to open at August 24 but we cannot go beyond that because of the requirements of law. A law which has not been amended or repealed as of now,” she reiterated.
Is DepEd ready?
“We are doing everything [to be ready by August 24]. There are over 20 partners offering to us their help. And it’s so heartwarming and so touching to hear so many institutions in addition to individuals who are offering to help us out,” she said.
As a matter of fact, she said many are offering help for the blended education.
“In my view, you don’t reach a point where you can say you’re totally, completely ready because by the time we respond to the needs of the time, ever more needs will surface,” Briones said.
She also noted that the DepEd family, from the members of the communications group, Executive Committee, Regional Directors are on call, “anytime of the day, anytime of the night, early morning or late in the evening” to answer all the querries.
“Everyday there’s a challenge, everyday an answer has to be found, everyday there’s a new development, everyday there is a new question and the department has responded heroically and were most grateful to each and every one of them,” Briones said as she thanked her hardworking officials.
She also expressed gratitude to those who have given their trust to the department.
“It’s a question of trust, do you think, do you believe, that we can deliver? We believe that we can deliver, thank you for believing along with us. Thank you,” the DepEd chief said.
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