After allowing its local officials to decide whether or not classes will be suspended in their respective areas, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, Jan. 14, maintained that it will not declare a nationwide academic or health break.
During the “Laging Handa” public briefing, Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said that declaring academic or health breaks for all schools across the country was no longer a consideration.
This, he explained, was because the regional and schools division offices were already given the authority to suspend classes and teaching-related activities based on the situation on the ground.
“Not nationwide,” Malaluan said when asked if it is possible for DepEd to declare health or academic breaks across the country.
Malaluan said that the DepEd Executive and Management Committees already met with regional directors regarding this matter.
“May dalawang aspeto, ang pag-uulit ng academic ease measures para mapagaan ang burden ng guro at mag-aaral at pag-authorize ng suspension of classes for a maximum of two weeks (There are two aspects on this, the reiteration to implement academic ease so we can lessen the burden among teachers and students and giving the authorizing the suspension of classes for a maximum of two weeks),” he said.
In a memorandum issued by DepEd dated Jan. 12, DepEd has instructed its local offices to “exercise discretion” in suspending classes and other teaching-related activities.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/01/13/deped-allows-suspension-of-classes-teaching-related-activities-amid-covid-19-surge/
DepEd issued this after various groups urged the agency to implement academic health breaks amid the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections in the country.
“Ito na ang ating tugon diyan (This is already our response for that) ,” Malaluan said.
Meanwhile, Malaluan said DepEd is already monitoring reports of regions that have declared suspension of classes. “We will be receiving those reports and consolidating them,” he said.
For the private schools, Malaluan said that they can also suspend classes “subject to their conditions.”