Duterte doubts PH readiness for blended learning

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday expressed doubts on the country’s readiness to take on blended learning as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the education system.

In a public address aired Friday, Duterte insisted anew that the country should wait for a COVID-19 vaccine.

He made the remark as the Department of Education prepares to start a new academic year on Aug. 24 and while remote enrollment has begun.

“We have to wait for the vaccine. It’s… Mga kapatid ko, kaigsuonan nako, maghintay talaga tayo sa vaccine. Sabi ko sa inyo walang vaccine, walang eskwela,” he said.

(My people, we really have to wait for a vaccine. I told you, no vaccine, no classes.)

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said the country would implement blended learning which includes the use of printed and online instruction. Television and radio will also be used to deliver lessons, she said.

“How — the technology is good. I do not know if we are ready for that. Meaning to say, if we have enough of those na gamitin para sa the whole of the Philippines,” Duterte said.

“We are talking of students here, it’s millions. Mayroon ba siya? But if she has or if we can afford it, we’ll buy it and she can proceed with the — her novel idea of how she — the children can continue with their education,” he added.

Malacañang previously said that the President was only against the resumption of physical or ‘face-to-face’ classes sans a COVID-19 vaccine and while the country remains under community quarantine.

READ: DepEd Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for SY 2020-2021