No online classes when on-site classes are suspended due to typhoons, DepEd clarifies

No online classes when on-site classes are suspended due to typhoons, DepEd clarifies.

On Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that online classes would be suspended during typhoons or other calamities if on-site classes were suspended. This statement was made by DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa, responding to criticism from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), who called the supposed decision to hold online classes during calamities "unjust" and "inhumane."

According to Poa, DepEd Order 37 ensures suspension applies to in-person and online classes. Instead of online classes, alternative delivery modes such as answering modules will be used. However, students won't be forced to complete them if conditions don't permit.

Public schools also have the authority to switch from on-site classes to alternative learning methods, depending on their situation's assessment.

School Opening for 2023-2024

The DepEd is likely to open the 2023-2024 school year in the last week of August. A third party has been tapped to assess reverting to the old school calendar. However, Poa explained that the transition would take a few years, and adjustments would need to be made gradually to the school calendar.

This call for change was prompted by extreme heat experiences during the dry season by both learners and teachers.

National Learning Camps (NLC)

Regarding the National Learning Camps (NLC), only 27% of Grades 7 and 8 students have registered for the program, aimed to address learning losses during the 2-year pandemic period. DepEd is focused on English, Math, and Science subjects in the program.

Poa also mentioned that the actual registration data is not as expected due to recent typhoons, and the department plans to give an updated report by Friday.

“Pwede hindi tumuloy iyong mga nagregister o pwede hindi nagregister pero nag-attend ng learning camp kasi ongoing pa rin iyan kasi tinatanggap pa rin natin sila. So antabayan na lang po natin by Friday, we plan to give an updated data kung ano ang turnout natin,” said Poa.