THE Department of Education yesterday said there are still no changes in its order for the implementation of full face-to-face classes in public schools by next month despite the presence of the COVID-19 XBB and XVC Omicron sub-variants in the country.
Speaking during the Laging Handa public briefing, DepEd spokesperson Michael Tan Poa said they are still awaiting guidance from the Department of Health.
Health authorities have so far recorded 81 cases of Omicron XBB subvariant and 193 cases of the XBC variant.
“Right now, there is no advice on any change. In fact, we just issued Department Order 44 on Monday. We in DepEd will always take cue from the advice given by the DOH when it comes to health guidelines or any health concerns,” Poa said.
“Right now, we have no changes to announce in the amendatory department order issued just two days ago,” he added, referring to the order issued by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte allowing private schools to continue holding five-day face-to-face classes, blended learning modality, or full distance learning beyond November 2.
Poa said the department is coordinating with the DOH and other government agencies to monitor the health situation in schools amid the new COVID-19 sub-variants.
“When it comes to health issues, we are in close coordination with the DOH and the local government units,” Poa added.
Poa also said public schools can also implement blended learning provided they are able to obtain exemption from the DepEd regional director in their jurisdiction.
“According to our amendatory order, exemption is allowed of public schools if they cannot implement the five days of face-to-face classes, provided the exemption came from the regional director,” he said.
Poa said the DepEd will soon issue a supplementary order to guide public schools seeking exemption from full in-person learning.
Poa also explained that the effects of the pandemic prompted the department to allow private schools to continue holding full distance or blended learning after November 2.
“Regarding private schools, we in DepEd know their situation due to the pandemic. First, many of them have already invested in online learning, and second, they have also developed and institutionalized best practices in online or blended learning,” Poa said.
He also cited the fact that many private schools suffered financially after the decline in enrolment due to the closure of schools at the height of the pandemic.
“Many private schools have also closed since they cannot meet enrolment targets. Due to these reasons we decided to allow them (to continue blended learning),” Poa said.
Last August, Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) chairperson Dr. Anthony Tamay said around 900,000 students from private schools have transferred to their public counterparts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic more than two years ago.
The group said more than 60 percent of private schools in the country have experienced a decline in enrolment in varying degrees.
Earlier, the DepEd said that since the start of the pandemic, more than 400 private schools nationwide have stopped operations due to financial problems.
