DepEd distances from OVP’s learning hubs: No face-to-face classes policy remains

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday distanced itself from the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) community learning hub project, stressing that the policy of no face-to-face classes remains.

In October, Vice President Leni Robredo led the launching of a community learning hub in Pasig City for students who may not have access to gadgets needed for learning.

“Ang polisiya namin, dahil sinusunod namin ang utos ng Presidente, hindi natin ‘yan ina-allow. Kasi wala naman sa authority ng DepEd na mag-anunsyo ng ganung klase na i-re-reverse natin ang sinasabi ng Presidente,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said in an online Palace briefing.

(Our policy is that we don’t allow it because we’re following the orders of the President. It is not under DepEd’s authority to reverse the President’s instructions.)

“Ang nangyari ay ang OVP, nagcoordinate directly with the LGUs [local government units]. So ang sitwasyon ngayon, Secretary, halimbawa sa Pasig, nag-coordinate sila directly with the LGU  ng Pasig pero one-on-one dahil hindi naman inapprove ng ating division superintendent yun,” she explained.

(The OVP coordinated directly with the LGUs. For example in Pasig, they coordinated directly with the Pasig LGU but it’s one-on-one because it was not approved by our division superintendent.)

The OVP, however, earlier assured the public that its learning hub project has been coordinated with the DepEd and that safety protocols in curbing the coronavirus transmission are being implemented.

Briones said the OVP planned to put up a learning hub in Caloocan City, but the plan was not approved by its LGU.

The OVP also coordinated with the LGU of Taytay, Rizal on plans to put up a mini classroom but Briones said DepEd is not involved in such a move.

“Kasi on record, walang ganong klaseng kasunduan, ganun klaseng approval. Nanatili pa rin ang policy ng Presidente na walang face-to-face sessions ang mga bata sapagkat ngayon, wala pa tayong vaccine. Ayan ay still enforced at sinusunod ng DepEd yan,” Briones said.

(On record, there is no such agreement, approval. The President’s policy remains that there will be no face-to-face sessions because we still don’t have a vaccine. That is enforced and is being followed by DepEd.)

JE