DepEd celebrates victories on blended learning

Published: September 13-19, 2021

The Department of Education has formally opened no face-to-face classes in public schools for the SY 2021-2022 on September 13 under the online/blended learning scheme for the second straight year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, over 24 million Filipino students started classes in their homes under the online and module program despite the majority of them lack the technology – no gadgets and no internet access for the digital learners.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones proudly claims that the new school opening of no face-to-face classes for the second year in a row amid the contagion is a “celebration of victories and successes.”

“[There] is much success to celebrate and build on. We did what was considered impossible in five months. We translated printed material into TV, radio, cell phone, tablet; and yes, utilized walkie-talkies for remote schools,” she said referring to last year’s school year.

As the second year of classes under a new normal commenced, we are optimistic that fewer complaints will be hurled against the DepEd people, as everyone expects them to have already perfected or almost perfected the system.

As of September 13, DepEd data showed 24,603,822 public and private school students have registered so far. The figure is 93.8% of last school year’s more than 26.2 million students.

Hence, DepEd extended the enrollment period until September 30 to accommodate more students, who for some justified reasons failed to enroll on time.

Indeed, whatever reason or challenges each one of us is facing, we, Filipinos, always put education first and foremost in our priorities aside from food and shelter. (IS)