DAVAO CITY — Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones on Friday announced that the opening of classes for school year 2020-2021 has veen moved to October 5.
In a statement, Briones said she received a memorandum from the Office of the President granting her recommendation to move the official opening of the classes given the implications of imposition of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.
The Memorandum signed by the Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdia states, “Please be informed that pursuant to the instructions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and as recommended by the DepEd, the opening of classes is deferred to 05 October 2020”.
“As per the memorandum, the President has given approval to the recommendation of DepEd. Thus, we will implement such a decision to defer school opening to October 5 pursuant to Republic Act No. 11480,” Briones statement explained.
The DepED shall use the deferment to provide relief to the logistical limitations faced by the areas placed under MECQ and to fill in the remaining gaps of the school opening that we are currently addressing.
Areas outside MECQ are directed to continue their orientations, dry runs, and delivery of learning resources so that we will be ready for the opening of classes on October 5, the statement added.
The DepEd said that with the final adjustment of the school opening, “Even with the implementation of MECQ, we will use this time to make the necessary adjustments and ensure that all preparations have been made for the successful opening of classes for School Year 2020-2021”.
The presidential directive was based on Republic Act 11480, which allows him to set a different date for the start of the school year in the country during a state of emergency or state of calamity.
His decision also came following appeals to consider the postponement of the opening of classes on August 24.
The Palace memorandum directs DepEd to ensure that all preparations have been made for the “smooth and successful” virtual opening of classes for Academic Year 2020-2021.
The law states that the school year will start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.
The DepEd initially scheduled school opening on August 24, and, the end of the academic year on April 30, 2021.-Newsline.ph
