Education Secretary Leonor Briones assured that the planning for education continuity amid - and post - the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is currently being undertaken at “multiple levels” by the concerned units of the Department of Education (DepEd).
During the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, April 13, said that DepEd officials are continuously discussing the challenges faced by the education sector as a whole amid the pandemic as well as the short and long-term impact of learning delivery at this time.
The inputs coming from DepEd’s field offices, she added, will also be used in creating and adjusting policies when it comes to learning continuity of students especially for the upcoming School Year (SY) 2021-2022.
“Ngayon, multiple levels ang plano natin sa pagbubukas ng mga eskuwelahan (Now, we are planning at multiple levels on school opening),” Briones said as a response to the call of Rep. Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan) for the agency to prepare for a possible longer distance learning program.
On April 10, Defensor urged DepEd to brace for prolonged distance learning - noting that COVID-19 shots for Filipino children below 16 years old may not be available in the country until next year.
“Multiple levels ang planning natin, kung tatagal ang COVID-19 o ma-control na natin ang COVID-19 (Our planning is at multiple levels, if COVID will continue or if we are able to control it) - we plan for all possibilities,” Briones said.
Meanwhile, Briones maintained that despite the challenges in the current learning set-up, DepEd will continue to ensure that education will continue for millions of Filipino learners.
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“Education must continue whatever the situation in the country, do what you are supposed to do but at the same time we fight COVID and join in the battle against this dreaded disease,” Briones said.
In fact, Briones said that despite the public health situation, DepEd continues to push through with school calendar activities such as the early registration. “We continue to do this so there will be a sense of normalcy, sense of continuity,” she ended.
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