MANILA, Philippines — Under the new face-to-face set-up, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Tuesday that classes will follow a “non-discriminatory policy” for all personnel and students.
DepEd spokesperson Atty. Michael Pia said no separate guidelines would be issued for the vaccinated and the non-vaccinated.
“We have a non-discriminatory policy… Meaning for both teachings, non-teaching personnel, as well as our learners themselves,” Poa said in a press briefing in Malacanang.
“We will not discriminate. Walang separate guidelines for those that are vaccinated and those that are unvaccinated. Voluntary pa rin ang pananaw natin sa vaccination,” he added.
(Unvaccinated and vaccinated people will have the same guidelines. Vaccination is still voluntary.)
In an earlier announcement, the Department of Health (DOH) said that vaccination is not a prerequisite for in-person classes, but vaccination for students and guardians against COVID-19 should be encouraged.
READ: Incentivize vaxxing of students, guardians for in-person classes — Vergeire
The 2022-2023 academic year is set to begin on August 22, as announced by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
Schools have the choice to hold full face-to-face classes or they can opt to blend physical sessions and distance learning until October 31.