DepEd to support distance learning for upcoming school year

The Department of Education (DepEd) will be allowing the adoption of “distance learning” for the upcoming schoolyear, which starts in August 2020.

The beginning of the schoolyear was pushed to August from June 2020 due to the disruption of the academic calendar resulting from the threat of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic. The education bureau believes that authorizing the holding of distance learning on Saturdays will help students and teachers make up for the two months lost because of the pandemic.

As a result of large parts of the country being put under quarantine, classes were suspended. This prompted schools to make use of alternative learning methods such as online classes and distance learning activities. The upcoming schoolyear now needs to be compressed to 203 days.

In an online press conference, Education Secretary Leonor Briones shared how DepEd is doing all it can to ensure the quality of learning as the academe transitions to a new normal of using different methods and channels to address educational needs.

“No face-to-face classes will be allowed earlier than August 24 and from August 24, face-to-face learning shall only be allowed when the local risk severity grading permits, and subject to compliance with minimum health standards,” said Briones.

DepEd has developed a Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) covering changes in the K-to-12 curriculum as well as guidelines on flexible learning and homeschooling.