Classes on private schools may start earlier than October 5 strictly using distance learning modalities

When the Department of Education (DepEd) announced the new school opening date, many private schools expressed confusion, especially those who have already begun.

Photo credit: cnnphilippines.com

Following the matter, DepEd issued the clarification on Saturday, private schools can start classes ahead of October 5 as long as they would be strictly using distance learning modalities.

The department said in an advisory,

After conferring with the Office of the Executive Secretary on the applicability of the decision to private schools and other non-DepEd schools, DepEd hereby clarifies that such private or non-DepEd schools that have already started their classes, or are scheduled to start classes on August 24 or on other dates ahead of October 5, are allowed to proceed provided they are strictly using only distance learning modalities and that there are no face-to-face classes,

DepEd said private schools that will open classes ahead of October 5 have to submit the relevant documents to the Regional Director, as required by DepEd Order No. 7, s. 2020 (School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2020-2021), DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2020 and DepEd Order No. 17, s. 2020 on readiness assessment.

As approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones previously announced that the opening of school year 2020-2021 for public schools will be moved to October 5.

Classes were supposed to start on August 24, but several lawmakers and teachers group urged the DepEd to defer it in order to prepare further with the transition of blended learning.

Briones previously rejected calls to move the opening of classes, insisting that preparations were underway for the new modes of teaching.

She disclosed on Friday that she recommended the postponement as early as August 6, because of the challenges in the delivery of learning materials and other logistical constraints brought by the imposition of modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and in the provinces provinces.

Based on the DepEd latest data as of August 14, around 23.2 million students have already enrolled in public and private schools. Some 1.6 million private schools students have enrolled for this school year, a third of last year's 4.4 million enrollees for private institutions.