MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said the coronavirus pandemic should not, in any way, affect education as classes for public schools officially opened on Monday.
In a pre-recorded message, President Duterte lauded the Department of Education (DepEd) and its partners for guiding all stakeholders ahead of the opening of school year 2020-2021 amid the challenges posed by the health crisis.
“[T]he school opening is a momentous occasion because it is pushing through despite the global health crisis due to COVID-19,” Duterte said. “Indeed, nothing can get in the way of the instruction and formation of our learners, not even a pandemic.”
“May this school year be marked with strong hopes and optimism that effective learning will take place even amidst the odds and challenges,” the President added. “Together, let us work to achieve a more informed, enlightened, inspired citizenry starting with our children.”
This school year was supposed to open last Aug. 24 but was moved to Oct. 5 to allow the government address “logistical limitations” faced by areas that were then placed under modified enhanced community quarantine and “fill in the remaining gaps” in the preparations.
Education secretary Leonor Briones, for her part, claimed “victory” over the pandemic saying the country “will not allow COVID-19 to destroy our children’s education and their future.”
“Araw-araw may bagong krisis, bagong problema, at bagong pagkukulang. Paghihintayin ba namin kayong mga mag-aaral, more than 24 million of you? Hindi maaaring pababayaan kayong mag-aaral,” Briones said.
There will be no face-to-face classes this school year and sessions will not be limited to online sessions alone. The DepEd has tapped television, radio and modular systems to ensure the delivery of lessons./PN
