In light of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) said that it is currently preparing for various possible scenarios for the opening of School Year (SY) 2021-2022.
“We will be proposing various options for the President’s consideration,” DepEd said in a statement issued Friday, April 30. DepEd added that the official guidelines for SY 2021-2022 calendar will also be issued “soon.” DepEd issued the statement after it was reported early this week the the agency is eyeing Aug. 23 as the school opening date for the upcoming SY.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/27/deped-eyes-opening-of-new-sy-on-aug-23-group-bats-for-protection-of-teachers-learners/
The Aug. 23 tentative school opening date received mixed reactions from various stakeholders including students, parents, and teachers.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/28/depeds-bid-to-open-new-school-year-on-aug-23-draws-mixed-reactions-from-teachers-netizens/
Given this, DepEd emphasized that the President has the “final decision on the opening of the school year” - in accordance with Republic Act 11480.
DepEd maintained that the Aug. 23 start date proposal is “only one of the options since DepEd is mandated to open the school year not later than the last day of August under the same law unless the President intervenes.”
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/29/deped-aug-23-school-opening-not-yet-final-decision-still-up-to-president-duterte/
Meanwhile, DepEd said that it continues to conduct policy consultation and “review with concerned stakeholders to determine the most appropriate course of action” on the matter of school opening.
In April 2020, DepEd conducted an online survey on school opening to “better inform its policies and decisions” on the opening of classes for SY 2020-2021. The said survey was participated by over 800,000 respondents who preferred the opening of classes in August instead of June.
Initially, the school opening the current school year was set to start on Aug. 24, 2020 but President Duterte moved the first day of classes in public schools on Oct. 5.