School opens August 22, Sara Duterte says

MANILA, Philippines — The opening of the school year 2022-2023 on August 22 is final as it has already been approved by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Education Secretary Vice President Sara Duterte said Thursday.

Duterte was responding to calls to postpone the class opening, particularly from the Teachers Dignity Coalition to give more time for teachers and learners to prepare for in-person classes.

“Approved na po ito ng ating Pangulo and meron na po itong Department Order 34. So tutuloy na po tayo doon. ‘Yung pagbubukas ng school year natin ay na-approve na po ng Pangulo,” she told reporters.

(This has been approved by the President and we have released Department Order No. 34. So we’re pushing through with that. The opening of the school year is approved already.)

Duterte said that while schools are transitioning to full in-person classes, they can implement combined face-to-face classes and distance learning from August until October 31.

EARLY SHIFTERS Some schools have decided earlier to resume in-person classes, like Chiang Kai Shek College in Tondo, Manila. The government wants to make it nationwide starting Nov. 2. —RICHARD A. REYES

READ: School year 2022-2023 to start August 22 — DepEd

Full face-to-face classes must start on November 2, she said.

She assured schools can safely open now since the public is now used to following health protocols and COVID-19 vaccines and medicines are readily available.

“Ang difference ng 2020 at 2022 ay ngayon, mas natuto na tayo. Ang mga tao, mas open na sila na magsuot ng masks. Pangalawa, meron na pong bakuna. Pangatlo, meron na pong mulnopiravir, may gamot na po ang COVID-19,” the Vice President said.

(The difference between 2020 and 2022 is that now we are more knowledgeable [about COVID-19]. The people are now more open to wearing masks. There are vaccines and medicines against COVID-19.)

EDV/abc