The government is determined to iron out concerns related to school preparations to ensure the smooth opening of basic education classes by October, a Malacañang official said over the weekend.

The class opening earlier set for Aug. 24 has been moved by President Duterte to Oct.  5 following the recommendation of the Department of Education (DepEd).

According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the Education department is expected to use such deferment to address needs of students and teachers in preparation for the alternative learning method.

"Nagdesisyon si Pangulo na na i-move ang klase for public schools at we will make sure sa pag-move ng classes to October, gagawin ng lahat ng Department of Education, to make sure plantsado ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating kabataan (The President decided to move the classes for public school and we will make sure the movement of classes to October, the Department of Education will do everything to make sure that all needs of the students are ironed out)," Nograles said during his Facebook Live video Saturday night.

"We will make sure between now and Oct. 5, we will make sure everything will be set, and everything will flow smoothly from then on," he added.
Nograles said the national government will provide support for the Education department, recognizing the huge task of preparing for the blended learning system.

"Remember this is on a nationwide cale, nationwide coverage.  Hindi biro ang trabaho na ginagawa ng Department of Education. Susuportahan natin sila, ang ating mga guro dahil very challenging ang times ngayon at 'yun ang kailangan ng DepEd (Remember this is on a nationwide scale, nationwide coverage. The job of the Department of Education is no joke. We will support them, we will support the teachers because these are challenging times and that's what the DepEd needs)," he said.

He explained that the implication of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal is among the major factors that influenced the postponement of the August school opening. 

He said the Education department faced "challenges on the ground," including the delivery of learning modules to students living in MECQ areas. The government  earlier pushed for alternative learning methods, including online and modular learning strategies, in lieu of the traditional in-person classes to protect students from the coronavirus threat.

"Ang naging challenge kasi ang pagbigay ng modules, under MECQ, malaking bahagi ng population natin, nandido sa Metro Manila at karatig na lugar na naging MECQ (The distribution of modules became a challenge under MECQ. A huge part of our population resides in Metro Manila and nearby areas that are under MECQ)," he said.