Amid the lingering concerns on school opening next month, Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday urged parents and guardians to consider the Oct. 5 school opening as a “victorious day” for Filipino children.
(DepEd / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Briones, during the “Handang Isip, Handa Bukas” virtual press briefing, shared the latest updates on the resumption of classes. “We only have 21 days to go and we’re all preparing for the victorious opening of classes,” she said. “It will be a day of victory for learning continuity and a day of victory for our learners,” she added.
As of Sept. 14, Briones said the total enrollment in both public and private schools has reached 24.44 million or 88.03% of SY 2019-2020 enrollment. “This is impressive despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and the downturn in economy,” she added.
Currently, Briones said that there are 22.31 million students enrolled in public schools or 98.85% of last school year’s enrollment turnout. There are also 2.08 students enrolled in private schools or 48.32% of the SY 2019-2020 enrollment.
Amidst the “noise of black propaganda and fake allegations,” Briones also assured that the teachers are ready as the country transitions into the new normal. “They are staying for the sake of children and the teachers are still devoted to the country,” she added.
While there might be concerns on learning delivery modalities that need to be addressed, Briones said that all Regional Offices and Schools Division Offices are working to ensure the smooth opening of classes next month.
Briones said that under DepEd’s “Brigada Eskwela” Program, there are 108 partners that are helping the agency prepare for the school opening amid a pandemic.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary and Spokesperson Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges in education this school year. “DepEd is investing in blended learning so we can provide a menu of alternative learning options to our learners,” he added.
Malaluan said that DepEd also recognizes all the concerns being raised by stakeholders related to distance learning and school opening. “We are foreseeing this school year to be a year of adjustments based on what is happening on the ground,” he added.
As DepEd prepares for the school opening on Oct. 5, Malaluan noted that people should also start settling to various routines and realizations that “this is not just about delivering lessons but also about learning to do education in this challenging time.”
He urged the public - parents, students, teachers, and school leaders - to communicate and cooperate in “good faith perspective” rather than “skepticism” and bad faith. “We need such cooperation and mutual support at this time,” he said.