The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified Tuesday that students do not need to wear uniforms while participating in any distance learning approach when the class opens on August 24.
“Nais ipabatid ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon na hindi kinakailangan ng mga mag-aaral na magsuot ng uniporme ng paaralan sa anumang distance learning approach na gagamitin nila para sa SY 2020-2021,” DepEd said in a Facebook post.
(The Department of Education would like to inform you that students are not required to wear a school uniform in any distance learning approach they will use for SY 2020-2021.)
“Bago pa man ang pandemya, hindi isang mahigpit na utos sa mga pampublikong paaralan ang pagsusuot ng uniporme ng mga mag-aaral (DepEd Order No. 065, s. 2010) upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng karagdagang gastos sa kanilang mga pamilya,” it added.
(Even before the pandemic, it was not a strict order for students in public schools to wear student uniforms (DepEd Order No. 065, s. 2010) to avoid incurring additional costs to their families.)
“Habang ipinagbabawal ang face-to-face classes, ang mga mag-aaral ay hinihikayat na magsuot ng kanilang pinaka-komportable at naaangkop na pananamit habang natututo nang ligtas sa kanilang mga tahanan,” it said.
(While face-to-face classes are prohibited, students are encouraged to wear their most comfortable and appropriate clothing while learning safely in their homes.)
Also read: PTA asks Duterte to postpone class opening
DepEd: No need to wear uniforms during distance learning
The latest episode of VinCentiments entitled “Online Class” showed students’ rants on the conduct of online learning in the country, including teachers asking learners to wear uniforms inside their homes.
The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Education Student Council slammed the short film and called it “outright irresponsible, insensitive, and infuriating.”
“Moreover, it fails to acknowledge that remote learning is not merely limited to conducting online classes. The video also antagonizes teachers by portraying them as harsh and ignorant to the concerns of students. This is a direct insult to educators whose efforts, for the past months, are directed towards adjusting syllabi, curricula, modules, and lesson plans in order to ensure the delivery of quality and compassionate education amidst the pandemic,” it added.
VinCentiments, meanwhile, responded to the massive criticisms they receive by standing by their “art.”