Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones assured the public that the agency’s operations will continue even as she undergoes quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.
Briones assured teachers and workers of DepEd that earlier decisions made by the agency will still be implemented such as the release of teachers’ salaries and benefits.
“Gusto naming i-assure ang publiko lalo na ang mga constituents naming sa Department of Education na tuloy-tuloy ang pag-operate ng DepEd, halimbawa sa mga sweldo na babayaran naming in advance, ang mga benefits, at mga pinagkakautangan namin, we are proceeding,” she said.
“Lahat ng mga decisions, patuloy,” she added.
The 79-year-old Briones confirmed Thursday that she was sick with COVID-19. She said she was tested for the disease after she attended a meeting with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who later announced that he was infected with COVID-19.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles meanwhile said DepEd is preparing contingency measures for the normalization of school operations once the Philippines controls the spread of COVID-19.
“As the dear Secretary undergoes quarantine, we assure the public that the Department of Education continues to operate under her supervision and is continuing to draw up plans for the eventual normalization of school operations throughout the country once this COVID-19 situation is effectively managed,” Nograles said.
Students and teachers were forced to stay at home after DepEd suspended classes and school activities in all levels across Luzon in March as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.
To continue the education of students, DepEd transitioned to electronic learning with an online platform called “DepEd Commons.”
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