MANILA, Philippines — Should schools remain closed due to the threat brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), “inclusive and effective systems” for homeschooling must be put in place.
Atty. Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson for Vice President Leni Robredo, said this on Tuesday in reaction to President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks Monday night that resumption of classes would be “useless” if there is no COVID-19 vaccine by that time.
The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier announced that classes would resume on Aug.24.
For college and universities, those who use full online education can open anytime, while those using flexible learning can open by August, Malacañang said.
“We appreciate the President’s concern for the health and safety of our children,” Gutierrez said in a statement. “We hope, however, that if the schools are to remain closed, sufficient steps will be taken to ensure that every Filipino student will still get the education he or she is entitled to.”
“Inclusive and effective systems for homeschooling must be put in place,” he added.
During a televised address to the public on Monday, Duterte said that he would not allow the opening of classes if students would crowd inside a room, unless they are safe.
However, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III contradicted the President’s statement, saying that it was “safe” to open classes in August.
As of Tuesday, the Philippines has 14,319 confirmed COVID-19 cases, where 3,323 recovered while 873 have died.