San Fernando City – Learners are entitled to a two-week study break, as part of an  academic ease, as announced by Department of Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.

“Kung tayo ay magpoprolong, it will be in response to the call for academic ease, bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga bata na hindi pa nakakabwelo at makahabol yung mga naiiwan,” Sec. Briones said during the region 1 virtual press conference held on Feb. 23.

She added, “the objective is not to rest but spending more time to help those learners in need, for the teachers to upskill, and the parents to be in touch with the students and teachers, as well.”

She likewise announced in the said press conference that the majority of the  respondents  who took part in a survey initiated by DepEd expressed their desire for a face-to-face class.

While some expressed their apprehension for the health and safety of their children attending face-to-face classes.

A total of 61 schools in the region are possibly ready for face-to-face classes according to the Education Secretary.

Meanwhile, four conditions must be met for a pilot run and eventually limited face-to-face classes to be undertaken like the approval of the local government, written consent from the parents that they allow their students to attend the physical learning, school facilities are appropriate, and auxiliary services like responsive-against-Covid-19 public transportation.

“While we are waiting for the vaccine roll-out especially in the education sector, we have identified the pilot schools and the possible challenges, we are sharpening and improving the readiness of these schools,” Briones also said.

The third episode of the EduAKsyon: Aksyon at Solusyon Para sa Edukasyon, a virtual press conference with Sec Briones, was participated by 20 media practitioners in the region.  

DepEd Order No. 012, s. 2021 “Amendment to DepEd Order No. 030, s. 2020 (Amendment to DepEd Order No. 007, s. 2020, School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2020-2021)” to allow schools to implement interventions for bridging learning gaps and to give time to teachers for the different learning delivery modalities, was released March 2 on the details of the said break.

By: Joan Diaz-Sabado