With the enhanced community quarantine put in place, a lot of things have been suspended and postponed. Jobs, businesses, schools, even domestic and international flights - all of them have been suspended for the safety of our countrymen.
Classes all over the country have been stopped and it brought a stream of mixed emotions for both the students and the teachers. But with the threat of the infamous Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Education (DepEd) is looking at a school year opening in August.
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Schedule under the law
The DepEd said that they are currently consulting education experts, businesses and schools, as well as education officials about the school year opening in August. According to the law, it should start somewhere between June and August.
Sangayon sa batas, we should open classes first week of June, up to the last day of August. 'Yun ang window namin. Ang mukhang trend na lumalabas is really for August."
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In Translation: As per the law, we should open classes in the first week of June up until the last day of August. That's our window; however, the trend we're seeing is really in August.
Leonor Briones, the Secretary of the Department Education said that they are in the process of reviewing and assessing it.
The leaning is August for opening. Whether it's last week, first week: we'll see how it goes."
Still be influenced by the IATF
However, Briones said that the schedule for the opening of class would still be highly influenced by what the Inter-Agency Task Force's (IATF's) decision is; as well as the decision by President Rodrigo Duterte.
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She said that whatever recommendations they would have, it's still going to matter.
Kung ano man ang rekomendasyon ng IATF at desisyon ng presidente... may influence ito kung kailan magbukas ang klase."
In Translation: Whatever the recommendation of the IATF and our President will be; it's still going to be an influential factor on our decisions to open the school year.
Saturday home-classes
When the plan gets finalized, the Education Secretary said that they are looking at the option of implementing stay-at-home classes during Saturdays. With that in place, the next school year can be lined up with the original schedule.
Ang concern namin, gusto namin matapos din by March, but at the same time, mag-comply ng number of days which is required by law for students to be learning. Kinoconsider namin ang possibility ng Saturday classes, pero hindi 'yung mga face-to-face classes, they can do their work at home."
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In Translation: Our concern is that we want to end in March; but at the same time, we will comply with the number of days in which it's required by the law for students to learn. We're considering the possibility of Saturday classes but not in the likes of face-to-face classes; they can do their work at home.
Online learning resources
Just a few days after the Luzon-wide implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Education Department released DepEd Commons. This is the online portal or learning platform that they're offering to the public; to both learners as well as teachers.
Anna Sevilla, DepEd Spokesperson said that they are looking at the option of adjusting the budget; they're considering this to provide more online learning and training resources.
Red more here: Free DepEd Commons Access, Department of Education
Other expenses will be lowered and will be source of fund for new or emerging activities."
Suspended graduation rites
In addition to that, the Education Department said that students' graduation rites would see a postponement. Not only that, as a matter of fact, even some of the activities of the DepEd would see rescheduling, too.
Fake viral photo
With all the fuss and discussions happening; the agency also wanted to clarify the photo that's been spreading all over social media. What the photo suggested was the A.Y. 2020 to 2021 would be opened on August 3rd and will end on April 21st, 2021.
In a statement, they clarified that this was false news and that it was not from them.
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We would like to clarify that the information from a malicious photo circulating online of what is supposedly the school calendar for SY 2020-2021 is false and unofficial."
With all of these happening, what do you think of the idea of the school year opening in August? Can this provide safety measures for the students? Would this be enough in keeping them, as well as school officials safe?
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