MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is still deliberating on whether or not to postpone the opening of classes in June in light of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, as it prepares the contingency plans for all “projected scenarios.”
Two officials from DepEd told INQUIRER.net that the department is still preparing a learning continuity plan for students as the entire Luzon remains under quarantine.
“We are still in deliberation about that, within DepEd and with partners,” DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said in a Viber message.
“We are preparing a Learning Continuity Plan. We will make and announce our decision anytime after (enhanced community quarantine) extension,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier placed the entire Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continued to increase. The quarantine became effective on March 17 and was initially set to be lifted on April 13.
The quarantine period, however, has extended until April 30.
According to DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla, the department’s executive and management committees are “extensively working together to be prepared with contingency plans per projected scenarios.”
Sevilla, however, opted not to give further details as to what these scenarios are since “everything is (still) at evaluation and discussion stage.”
“All under discussion and subject to IATF presentation first,” she said in a text message, referring to the (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease).
“DepEd is still preparing our learning continuity plan, but a lot is contingent on the (COVID-19) projections and this matter is still under discussion by IATF,” Sevilla added.
To date, Philippine health authorities have confirmed 3,870 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.
Of the number, 182 patients have died while 96 have already recovered from the disease.