DepEd suspends activities involving students, teachers amid nCoV threat
Published Feb 5, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
As a preventive measure against the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD), the Department of Education (DepEd) has indefinitely suspended activities involving all learners and teachers - particularly those national and regional activities that are scheduled this February.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones
(DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN) Education Secretary Leonor Briones issued the DepEd Memorandum No. 015 series of 2020 or the First Set of Policy Directives of DepEd Task Force nCoV which outlines the initiatives of the department in addressing concerns of school and policy changes that may arise due to the 2019-nCoV ARD threat. “In the interest of public health, all public and private basic education schools and learning centers are duty-bound to exercise due diligence and take precautionary measures to minimize exposure risks associated with the 2019-nCoV ARD,” Briones said in the memo. DepEd also urged all concerned schools and other stakeholders to “support government efforts to contain the spread of the virus.” Briones said that private schools are “highly encouraged” to adopt precautionary measures issued by the department through the newly-issued memorandum. For DepEd activities scheduled this February, Briones said that upon the advice of the Department of Health (DOH), “all national and regional activities involving learners and/or teachers requiring travel and congregation of various schools, divisions, and/or regions are suspended.” She also added that “all division and district activities that involve the gathering/congregation of various schools are highly discouraged.” Likewise, the organizers were also advised to “seek the recommendation of local health authorities should the activities push through.” In particular, the suspended the national activities which involve learners and teachers are the National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), the National Festival of Talents (NFOT), and the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC). The 2019-2020 NSTF was scheduled on February 11 to 13 at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City. For this year, a total of 500 delegates are expected to participate in the event which aims to “promote Science and Technology consciousness and a culture of innovation among youth.” The NSTF also aims to “identify the most creative and innovative student researches from the Junior and Senior High School who shall represent the country in the international Science research fairs.” The 2019-2020 NFOT which is scheduled from February 17 to 21 in Ilagan City, Isabela was also suspended. This year, a total of 3,200 participants are expected to participate in the NFOT which aims to provide opportunities for learners to showcase their talents in various fields. Also postponed is the conduct of the 2020 NSPC set on February 17 to 21 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. This year, the NSPC is expecting 6,000 participants to take part in individual and group contests, school paper contests as well as concurrent sessions with workshops. Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that the Palarong Pambansa - which is scheduled in May to be hosted by Marikina City - is not included in the list of activities that are postponed. Earlier, the agency formed the DepEd Task Force nCoV to address concerns of schools and learners on the 2019-nCoV ARD. The said task force is created to “cooperate with the DOH for the implementation of its response to the virus, including decision for school suspensions, and to promulgate standard protocols in DepEd offices and schools.” DepEd also issued a memorandum alerting all regional directors, schools division superintendents, principals or school heads, both teaching and non-teaching personnel, learners and all others concerned to “take precautionary measures against the possible spread of the virus.”
Education Secretary Leonor Briones(DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN) Education Secretary Leonor Briones issued the DepEd Memorandum No. 015 series of 2020 or the First Set of Policy Directives of DepEd Task Force nCoV which outlines the initiatives of the department in addressing concerns of school and policy changes that may arise due to the 2019-nCoV ARD threat. “In the interest of public health, all public and private basic education schools and learning centers are duty-bound to exercise due diligence and take precautionary measures to minimize exposure risks associated with the 2019-nCoV ARD,” Briones said in the memo. DepEd also urged all concerned schools and other stakeholders to “support government efforts to contain the spread of the virus.” Briones said that private schools are “highly encouraged” to adopt precautionary measures issued by the department through the newly-issued memorandum. For DepEd activities scheduled this February, Briones said that upon the advice of the Department of Health (DOH), “all national and regional activities involving learners and/or teachers requiring travel and congregation of various schools, divisions, and/or regions are suspended.” She also added that “all division and district activities that involve the gathering/congregation of various schools are highly discouraged.” Likewise, the organizers were also advised to “seek the recommendation of local health authorities should the activities push through.” In particular, the suspended the national activities which involve learners and teachers are the National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), the National Festival of Talents (NFOT), and the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC). The 2019-2020 NSTF was scheduled on February 11 to 13 at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City. For this year, a total of 500 delegates are expected to participate in the event which aims to “promote Science and Technology consciousness and a culture of innovation among youth.” The NSTF also aims to “identify the most creative and innovative student researches from the Junior and Senior High School who shall represent the country in the international Science research fairs.” The 2019-2020 NFOT which is scheduled from February 17 to 21 in Ilagan City, Isabela was also suspended. This year, a total of 3,200 participants are expected to participate in the NFOT which aims to provide opportunities for learners to showcase their talents in various fields. Also postponed is the conduct of the 2020 NSPC set on February 17 to 21 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. This year, the NSPC is expecting 6,000 participants to take part in individual and group contests, school paper contests as well as concurrent sessions with workshops. Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that the Palarong Pambansa - which is scheduled in May to be hosted by Marikina City - is not included in the list of activities that are postponed. Earlier, the agency formed the DepEd Task Force nCoV to address concerns of schools and learners on the 2019-nCoV ARD. The said task force is created to “cooperate with the DOH for the implementation of its response to the virus, including decision for school suspensions, and to promulgate standard protocols in DepEd offices and schools.” DepEd also issued a memorandum alerting all regional directors, schools division superintendents, principals or school heads, both teaching and non-teaching personnel, learners and all others concerned to “take precautionary measures against the possible spread of the virus.”