Opening of classes moves to October 5 - DepEd

The opening of classes for school year 2020-2021 will be moved to October 5, 2020 as approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced Friday.

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Briones said this was in consideration of Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna which are under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until August 18. She also said that they considered the new school opening date based on the extent of the preparations needed to be done and assured that all the materials needed for the school opening would be ready by that time.

Briones answered in affirmative when asked if the postponement of school opening applies to both public and private schools.

However, private schools who have already started classes may still continue, provided that they follow the existing community quarantine guidelines.

Below is the statement of DepEd Secretary Briones regarding the postponement of school opening:

This morning, we received a memorandum from the Office of the President that the President has already made the decision in respect to the recommendation that I have submitted to him on August 6, in response to the implications of imposition of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna and Rizal.

As per the memorandum, the President has given approval to the recommendation of DepEd. Thus, we will implement such a decision to defer school opening to October 5 pursuant to Republic Act No. 11480. We shall use the deferment to provide relief to the logistical limitations faced by the areas placed under MECQ and to fill in the remaining gaps of the school opening that we are currently addressing.  

Areas outside MECQ are directed to continue their orientations, dry runs, and delivery of learning resources so that we will be ready for the opening of classes on October 5.  

We trust that this is the final adjustment of the school opening. Even with the implementation of MECQ, we will use this time to make the necessary adjustments and ensure that all preparations have been made for the successful opening of classes for School Year 2020-2021.