The Department of Education (DepEd) announces that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has approved September 13, 2021, as the class opening date for School Year 2021-2022, among the options recommended by DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.
“We thank the President for his full support to the delivery of quality basic education for the incoming school year,” DepEd said.
“The school calendar for SY 2021-2022 will be released soon. We hope for our stakeholders’ continued cooperation and support as we prepare for another challenging yet worthwhile endeavor of educating our children amid a global health crisis,” it added.
DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said the department continues to prepare for the return of face-to-face classes while waiting for approval.
He added DepEd is confident in the implementation of blended learning in the coming school year.
“Mas mataas ang antas ng kahandaan natin ngayon [The level of preparation now is higher],” he said.
He added that the schedule of class opening had given teachers a two-month vacation. San Antonio urged parents to register their children to school already.
DepEd has also proposed the dates August 23, 2021, and September 6, 2021, for a class opening for School Year 2021-2022.
Class opening set on September 13, 2021 – DepEd
Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte extended his apologies to parents for not allowing face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ako naman nanghingi ng patawad sa inyong lahat sa nanay, tatay kasi delayed ang edukasyon ng mga bata. Patawarin niyo po ako kasi di ko kaya magbigay ng pahintulot na hindi na sila normal sa eskwelahan,” Duterte said in his pre-recorded weekly briefing with Cabinet officials.
“Kasi kung madisgrasyahan, buhay ito. Ang ano nito ang is delayed lang ang education ng bata pero it will normalize one of these days, but I cannot gamble with the life of children mahirap yan kasi ako mananagot lahat,” he added.
The President further explained that he could not allow in-person classes until he gets a “clear picture” of “how COVID-19 works” on other people’s health.
Duterte is also concerned about the more contagious Delta variant that could also infect children during physical classes.
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