A group of private schools opposes the plan to restore 100 percent face-to-face classes in November.
This is after the Department of Education ordered schools on Tuesday to prepare for full in-person classes because distance and blended learning will be banned starting November 2.
According to the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators, the country is not yet ready to return to full face-to-face classes.
Many parents are uncomfortable sending their children back to school in the face of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (Cocopea) has appealed to reconsider or reconsider the plan for 100 percent face-to-face classes.
Cocopea also asked DepEd to focus on maintaining the blended learning option, where children learn in face-to-face and distance learning modalities.
The Department of Education is ready to discuss the issues of private schools, said Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.
For the advocacy group Philippine Business for Education, they supported the implementation of full face-to-face classes in November.
According to Marco Delos Reyes, policy and advocacy manager of the group, the education system is ready for the reopening of schools.
Private school group opposes full in-person classes in November
He said this followed “pilot testing” of face-to-face classes last year and expanded in-person classes in early 2022.
DepEd has seen what the schools have experienced and best practices in back-to-school.
Meanwhile, Densing reiterated that teachers and students are not obliged to be vaccinated upon the return of full face-to-face classes.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is not mandatory under the law, but he said teachers or school personnel who enter schools are still required to undergo regular testing.
He said DepEd would continue to provide relevant information to parents and students regarding the cost of vaccination.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng continuous counseling lalo sa mga magulang ng mga bata na hindi bakunado, na sana’y payagan na nilang bakunahan ang kanilang mga anak,” said Densing.
On the issue of public transportation readiness for face-to-face classes, the Inter-Agency Task Force is scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss it, Densing said.
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