School Year 2020-2021 To Open In August

Written by Marc Adrian

The Department of Education (DepEd)on Tuesday has finally announced the schedule for the new school year – it will open in August as the country’s efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 continues.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones shared the decision in a virtual press briefing that the school year 2020-2021 will formally open on August 24, whether its virtual classes or the physical classes. She also stressed the importance of ensuring the health and safety of learners and teachers despite the limitations of the educational process. 

In her own words:

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone should attend class physically because we have lockdowns enforced in various areas. It can be virtual, it can also be physical in areas where schools are allowed to open.”

Classes usually open in June but the Republic Act 7977 or the Act on Lengthening of School Calendar allows the school opening to be until the last day of August.  With that, the upcoming school year will end on April 30, 2021.

Meanwhile, DepEd is looking into an alternative mode of learning for public schools in the country since they are generally overcrowded, making preventive measures such as physical distancing difficult to achieve. 

While DepEd wants to implement an alternative delivery mode such as online learning, the fact remains internet connection, and gadgets such as laptops, computers, and mobile phones remain unreachable luxuries for many learners. DepEd will be preparing their printed instruction packets of self-learning kits for those students who are without access to technology, according to DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio  They are also eyeing the possibility of delivering their lessons through television and radio. 

 

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