A wise decision.
That's how Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda described the Department of Education's (DepEd) move to to allow private institutions to continue with hybrid school arrangements, despite initial policy pronouncements requiring all schools to resume face to face classes by November.
“I thank Sara Duterte for this wise decision. Private schools are able to deliver a more diverse and flexible set of school services using technology. It’s good to allow them to continue such arrangements. It's even better to learn from them,” Salceda said.
Duterte sits as DepEd secretary. She is a close friend of Salceda's.
DepEd had just released Order No. 044, s. 2022 which allows private schools to maintain hybrid arrangements after Nov. 2.
"After Nov. 2, no public school shall be allowed to implement pure distance or blended learning except for those allowed by the regional director, those whose classes are canceled due to disasters, and those implementing Alternative Delivery Modes," DepEd announced.
On the other hand, the national government said that public schools "shall have transitioned to five days in-person classes" also starting Nov. 2, per an earlier DepEd order dated Oct. 17.
“Private education is more often a parental choice, so, allowing hybrid arrangements makes sense,” Salceda said.
Salceda, however, supports full face-to-face resumption of classes in public institutions.
“For public schools, full face-to-face is the best option. It will be a strain on working parents who have nowhere to leave their children if face-to-face school does not resume.”
Salceda also supports full face-to-face classes in higher education. “I think it’s best for colleges and universities to resume face-to-face classes in full, especially for the sake of probinsyanos who have already resumed living near their campuses."
“It doesn’t make sense that some classes are still held online while others are face-to-face. It doubles the cost. Students pay rent while having to also pay for internet and other costs. That’s not fair," he added.