(FILE PHOTO) ‘BLENDED LEARNING’ From her home in Calamba City, Laguna province, a Grade 2 pupil dressed in her uniform takes down notes as she attends an online class conducted by the private school in Makati City where she is enrolled. —CHRIS QUINTANA
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has agreed to a plan to institutionalize the blended learning mode in schools, but face-to-face classes will still be prioritized, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Duterte said Marcos had given his approval to the proposal when this was raised during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, in which face-to-face classes will remain to be the priority mode of education even under the new normal, and blended learning will only be considered in select areas.
“The President agreed that a plan should be made with a caveat that face-to-face classes shall be the priority and blended modality shall be considered only in specific schools and areas with special circumstances,” said Duterte.
She said that with this presidential approval, the Department of Education (DepEd) should prepare for this eventuality.
“DepEd will prepare a plan to be reviewed by the President. No details are forthcoming anytime soon,” she added.
As of now, Duterte clarified that the DepEd order to schools to implement five-day face-to-face classes by Nov. 2 still stands.
Malacañang had announced that Marcos ordered the continuance of blended learning beyond Oct. 31 but only in specific areas.