FILE PHOTO: Public secondary teachers undergo webinar training on the utilization of the e-Learning platform by the Schools Division of Marikina on July 21. 2020, at the Jesus Dela Pena National High School in Marikina City in preparation for the blended learning approach by the Department of Education. The training program was initiated by the LGU Marikina and DeoEd Marikina. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will once again implement blended learning for School Year 2021-2022 as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Saturday.
The DepEd stressed that for now, face-to-face classes remain prohibited unless President Rodrigo Duterte allows them later on.
“Matapos ipahayag ng Pangulo ang kaniyang desisyon patungkol sa pagbubukas ng darating na taong panuruan, isinaayos ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ang Kalendaryong Pampaaralan sa SY 2021-2022, na itatampok pa rin ang pamamaraang blended learning sa paghahatid ng pangunahing edukasyon,” the education department said in a statement.
According to DepEd, the enrollment period for SY 2021-2022 will begin on August 16 and end on September 13, the first day of classes. Christmas break will start on December 20 and classes will resume on January 3.
SY 2021-2022 will end on June 24, it added, noting that the learning schedule means a total of 209 school days in accordance with Republic Act No. 7797, said DepEd.
“Ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagkatuto at pagiging malikhain mula sa nakaraang taon ng pagkakaroon ng pandaigdigang krisis,” DepEd said.
During SY 2020-2021, DepEd’s blended learning policy was marred with problems and controversies. Students and teachers had to confront limited access to the internet and other technological resources as physical learning modules and TV episodes developed by DepEd yielded factual errors and contentious concepts.