DepEd to support LGU's funding on alternative modes of learning

The Department of Education (DepEd) said that it has come up with an action plan to help local government units (LGU) fund schools in the shift to alternative modes of learning as face to face classes remain suspended because of the continuing threat of the new coronavirus. The Special Education Fund of local governments is only one of six fund sources for the continued education of students in the coming school year, DepEd said.

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"DepEd will continue to closely collaborate with the LGUs to efficiently and productively align this fund with the different learning delivery modalities to be implemented in our schools," the agency said. Reacting to a facebook post of Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, who expresses his concerns over the budget for distance learning plans.

The DepEd has funds that could be used to support the shift to distance learning, said Education Undersecretary Anne Sevilla 

Sevilla added that there is a DepEd budget for face to face learning which they will reprogram and they will soon download money to the schools.

This year, the DepEd changed the Brigada Eskwela activity. Under the new Brigada Eskwela, the DepEd and schools would engage with partners from both the public and private sectors to provide the needs of students in the coming school year.

The traditional Brigada Eskwela involved cleanups and repairs of school facilities and buildings. The new concept of Brigada Eskwela will focus on preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues even in the time of COVID-19.

The DepEd plans to use online platforms, printed and digital modules, radio, and television to deliver lessons to students when the school year starts in August.

Classes in public schools are scheduled to start on August 24 while private schools are allowed to start earlier upon seeking the approval of DepEd regional directors.