Face-to-face classes in low-risk areas a possibility -DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) says it is possible to consider the resumption of face-to-face classes.

In a virtual meeting with heads of schools in Sorsogon on November 11, DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua admitted the education bureau’s struggle to address the mental health issues brought about by students not physically together to learn.

“We are not removing that possibility because we know that we cannot solve the mental health [issues] of children if there’s no face-to-face,” said Del Pascua.

Pascua further said that while DepEd sees the value of face-to-face classes, it is also equally important to observe health protocols as mandated by the government, while the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic is still rampant.

“Kung DepEd lang ang tatanungin, ang posisyon ng DepEd talaga ay gusto natin may face-to-face, kahit limited face-to-face kaya lang may national policy tayo, so susunod muna tayo sa national policy.”

(“If DepEd would be asked, its position is that it wants to have face-to-face [classes], even limited face-to-face [classes], however, a national policy is in place so we need to abide by this.”)

DepEd further noted that while it is in talks with other agencies about the potential resumption of face-to-face classes, most especially in areas that are low-risk for COVID-19, but admits the uncertainty of doing so. The results of DepEd’s discussions on face-to-face classes will be consolidated and presented to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for consideration.

The Philippines has adopted a combination of blended learning and distance learning amid the threat of COVID-19. Under blended learning, schools use a combination of television and radio-based instruction, along with the Internet and printed modules to deliver education.