Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the dry run for classes under the “new normal” will continue despite the school opening being moved to October 5.
“While the simulations are going on, we will continue to upskill teachers and prepare our learners for the new way, or as I would say, for the brave normal, which we are trying to create,” Briones said in Filipino.
The Department of Education (DepEd) moved the opening of classes from August 24 to October 5 following the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“At least two regions faced logistical challenges in preparing for learning materials.”
Citing the simulations held by DepEd, the education chief disclosed that at least two regions faced logistical challenges in preparing for learning materials due to the limitation of movement.
“Na-limit ‘yung kanilang flexibility and readiness. And these two regions comprise about a third of our learner population. Malaking malaki, by the millions itong mga batang affected, so we made calculations and submitted these to the President (Their flexibility and readiness were hindered. These two regions comprise about a third of our learner population. The number of children affected runs by the millions, so we made calculations and submitted these to the President),” the education head said.
The DepEd proposed the postponement of classes as early as August 6.
The Office of the President then issued a memorandum approving the recommendation.
“Face-to-face meetings between students and teachers would not be conducted in the upcoming school opening.”
Meanwhile, Briones reiterated that face-to-face meetings between students and teachers will not be conducted in the upcoming school opening.
She also defended flexible learning, which she noted is not only done online.
“Online is not the only methodology. We’ve had successful simulations, for example, in Davao de Oro, using radio. We’ve had successful simulations using television also,” Briones stressed.