Cari amici, era stato chiaro il nostro Presidente Duterte che aveva detto in televisione:” A meno che non siamo davvero sicuri, non ha senso parlare di riapertura e se nessuno avrà un diploma, pazienza”. E così tutti a casa. Gli studenti seguono le lezioni a distanza, ma milioni di loro non hanno internet o il computer. Mantenere la didattica è davvero diffcile in questo momento, soprattutto per chi vive negli slums e dove ci sono forti sacche di miseria. La scuola normalmente inizia a giugno nel mio Paese, ma quest’anno la riapertura slitterebbe ad agosto. Data comunque incerta e che dipende dalla diffusione del contagio.
Department of Education or DepEd reiterates that there are no face-to-face classes until Covid-19 vaccine is available in the Philippines.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement, complying with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available against Covid-19. The spokesperson of the President Duterte also clarified that traditional face-to-face classes would not resume as long as community quarantines meant to curb the spread of the virus remain in place.
The DepEd also said that they have been preparing for the implementation of blended learning as the department maintained its commitment to make education available and thriving, even in the most difficult time. Radio, television, online and modular learning – which are pre-existing methods and were already used for decades – are being prepared and updated for this year. At the same time, teachers are being trained on utilizing newer platforms and innovative tools to aid their professional development. They are also working with the private sector and education experts to make these necessary steps logistically sound, especially on the development, acquisition, and deployment of learning resources.
Secretary Briones also said the DepEd would provide regular readiness assessment reports to the public and thanking the President for reiterating the national government’s willingness to assist us in our endeavor to offer alternatives to face-to-face learning despite the public health situation.
August school reopening on August 24 should still be subject to thorough review by officials as Covid-19 pandemic remains a threat.
