DepEd to prohibit using schools as quarantine facilities by end of June

The Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday it would no longer allow the use of schools as quarantine facilities by the end of June as it prepares for the reopening of classes.

DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said schools have to be disinfected in preparation for the possible conduct of “face-to-face” classes for school year 2020 to 2021.

“As much as possible at the end of the month or middle, ‘di na natin sila pinapahintulutan kasi kailangan iprepara ang mga paaralan,” he said in a virtual press briefing.

(As much as possible, we will no longer allow them to use the schools by the end or middle of the month.)

“Kailangan yung pag-disinfect ng mga paaralan natin para sa ganoon kung sakaling magbago ang sitwasyon, handa na ang mga paaralan,” he added.

(We have to disinfect the schools so that if there will be changes in the situation, our schools are prepared.)

Schools will seek the help of local government units for disinfection efforts, DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said.

President Rodrigo Duterte in April approved the use of hundreds of public schools as makeshift quarantine facilities while the government was still preparing its own facilities.

DepEd provided guidelines at the time for the use of public schools as quarantine facilities.

On Monday, DepEd opened remote enrollment in public schools as it pushed for the resumption of classes by Aug. 24 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones earlier assured parents that there will be no physical or “face-to-face” classes since education delivery will be done through “blended learning.”

This includes the use of printed modules, radio, television, and online instruction.