Sec. Briones appreciates Pres. Duterte over his support on the continuation of learning this school year

Education Secretary Leonor Briones expressed her gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his support to make sure that learning will continue for millions of students this school year amid the health crisis.

We really appreciate the support coming from the President. Our plans and programs are under his instructions and we appreciate that he takes our views and opinions into consideration,

Briones said in a phone interview.

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Now that theres only a few days left before the class will formally open on October 5, Briones said the Department of Education (DepEd) is working non-stop to ensure that the requirements for the distance/blended learning approach to be used in lieu of face-to-face classes would be met.

Several teachers groups such as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) have been raising concerns on DepEd preparedness for the upcoming class opening. Referring to reports from the field of several concerns and issues that the department should address first.

Some of the problems group raised are the insufficient number of printed Self Learning Modules (SLMs) for students and lack of safety measures that would ensure the health of teachers who are forced to go to schools for school opening requirements and others.

The TDC said that if the concerns will remain unresolved before the class starts, it would be better to reconsider the school opening and move it to January next year.

However, Briones said that postponing the school opening will not necessarily address all the issues that are being brought up.

Even the Senate and the Congress do not support this so-called ‘academic freeze’ because they are attending to other pressing issues such as the budget,

she explained. 

Briones notes waiting for perfection is useless because there's no such thing as being completely ready as she expects that there will be issues upon the opening of schools which will definitely be settled.