While it strongly supports the resumption of face-to-face classes, an organization of private schools appealed for “flexibility” when it comes to the learning delivery modalities that can be used for its students.

Even before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the government’s plan to fully implement face-to-face classes by November, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) said that its member schools were already preparing for reopening.

“We are ready to comply with the directive of the President to go back to full face-to-face classes,” COCOPEA Chairman Anthony M. Tamayo said in a statement issued July 10.

Tamayo noted that as soon as Alert Level 1 was declared in March, private schools started to prepare for the resumption of face-to-face classes.

As COCOPEA schools expressed readiness to comply with the full implementation of face-to-face classes by November, Tamayo noted that private schools should also be allowed to implement flexible learning modalities such as offering “hybrid” or fully online classes.

Tamayo explained that allowing private schools to implement flexible learning modalities will also give the parents --- especially those who are still hesitant to send their children to school amid the pandemic --- more options.

Meanwhile, Tamayo also underscored the importance of Covid-19 vaccination as well as the strict implementation of health protocols for the safe reopening of schools.

“As the safety of our students, teachers, and other personnel are paramount, expediting their vaccination and stricter adherence to the minimum public health standards would help persuade parents to send their children back to school,” Tamayo said.

Moreover, COCOPEA is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to simplify or streamline the procedures as well as the requirements for schools that want to implement face-to-face classes.