ENROLLMENT in public schools will start in June in anticipation of the opening of classes on August 24, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Wednesday.
Roque, in several television and radio interviews, said parents and schools, especially in public schools, should start preparing for the resumption of classes in June regardless if classes will be done in a face-to-face or in a school set-up, online or virtual arrangements, distance learning or blended learning.
“What is certain is by August 24, formal learning will resume. What is uncertain is whether or not face-to-face classes will resume,” he said in an interview by the ABS-CBN News Channel.
When asked if enrollment should start by June 1, Roque, in an interview by radio dzBB, said: “Kinakailangan ituloy natin iyan kasi baka mamaya magkaroon ng bakuna, baka mamaya magkaroon ng new normal, dapat handa rin tayo doon sa pini-preparang mga plano sa Agosto 24 (We need to continue with the enrollment in case a vaccine comes out, in case there will be a new normal by then, we should be prepared for the plans set out for August 24).”
The Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease previously approved the Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) recommendations to open the academic year 2020-2021 on August 24 and end by April 30, 2021. DepEd also said enrollment will be from June 1 to 30.
Roque, in an interview over radio dzRH, said the early enrollment will be used by the DepEd in preparing a “blended learning” scheme, which is a combination of a face-to-face or in school set up, online or virtual arrangements, and distance learning among others.
Roque acknowledged that not everyone has access to the internet which he said may be addressed with the use of community and government-run television and stations to teach the children.
On possible the need for physical classroom presence, he said this may be limited to times when students would undergo exams and assessments.
EXODUS TO PROVINCES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Roque said students, especially those coming from Metro Manila and private schools, should have no problem if they will be transferred to schools in the provinces or in public schools.
He added that it is understandable if some students would be transferred especially as some families had started or are planning to return to the provinces.
He said government is even encouraging people, especially from urban cities, to return to the provinces.
“Karapatan ng bawat kabataan na makapag-aral. So hindi mo naman masisisi ang mga magulang dahil talaga namang sa probinsiya ay mas maliit ang banta ng COVID-19 kaysa dito sa Metro Manila. So natural dapat paghandaan din po iyan ng ating DepEd sa mga probinsiya (It is the right of students to study. You cannot blame the parents because there are lesser cases of COVID-19 in the provinces than in Metro Manila. So DepEd offices in the provinces should be ready for this)” he said.
President Duterte, on Monday night, said he wants class opening should be deferred until a vaccine is found to ensure the safety of students.
CBCP
Bishop Roberto Mallari, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, expressed reservations over the implementation of online classes.
Mallari said that while he is not against the proposal, he believes that online classes will limit the educational system to only a small number of students.
“While modular lessons, through online, can be introduced, I am afraid that there will only be a small number who can participate in the lessons,” he said.
Fr. Nolan Que, trustee of Catholic Educational Association in the Philippines – National Capital Region, expressed belief that having online classes would be better than having no school at all.
“If the schools are not yet ready, then don’t let them open. But there are different modes of delivery (of education),” said Que over Church-run Radio Veritas, adding that having no classes is not just detrimental to students but to school personnel, including teachers, as well.
“Us, private schools, we have employees. Like me, how can I help my 600 employees for one year (if there are no classes),” said Que.
CEAP has 1,484 member-schools nationwide. — With Gerard Naval
