DepEd firm on August 22 school opening: "wala nang atrasan"

DepEd firm on August 22 school opening: "wala nang atrasan"

Despite requests to postpone the start of the school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) remained firm in the decision to open the classes for the next school year on August 22.

"Tuloy na tuloy na tayo. Wala nang atrasan. August 22, 2022 ang opening of classes natin this year," Michael Poa, a spokesperson for DepEd, said on Monday on ABS-CBN.

To provide teachers enough time to rest from the previous academic year and prepare for the next one, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition has urged the DepEd to move the start of school to mid-September.

However, Poa said that "many" had already taken part in the Brigada Eskwela initiative, which involves volunteers and stakeholders preparing schools for the upcoming academic year.

The spokesman further stated that in preparation for the start of classes, the DepEd was working with other government agencies, including the trade department, to control the cost of school supplies and the Department of Health to vaccinate students and employees against COVID-19.

Poa also mentioned Republic Act 7797, which forbids beginning the school year earlier than August.

According to Poa, the DepEd will begin constructing temporary learning spaces this week for the schools affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Luzon on July 27.

"We are also in contact with [local government units] para sa spaces na hindi nila nagagamit or hindi naman usually nagagamit, baka puwede ipahiram muna as temporary learning spaces," the official continued.

The DepEd revealed last week that 427 schools had been impacted by the magnitude 7 earthquake, with a P2.1 billion repair estimate.

By November, all public and private schools must shift to 5 days of in-person classes under DepEd Order 34 s2022.

READ: DepEd Order No. 34, s 2022 - School Calendar for SY 2022-2023