DepEd ready for blended learning classes 

The Department of Education (DepEd) is now “ready” for next month’s opening of classes through blended learning approaches.

The DepEd said it has reached its target enrollment rate for school year 2020-2021, with more than 22.2 million students, or 80 percent of the total enrollment of 27.7 million in the previous school year. Currently, around 22.3 million students have enrolled for the coming school year.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones assured the public that no face-to-face learning would happen when classes reopen on 24 August.

“I’d like to report that as of 30 July, a total of 22.3 million learners have already enrolled on the assumption that classes will start on 24 August. But this will be blended learning. There shall be no face-to-face,” Briones said.

The Education chief said the number of enrollees will still go up when the figures from private schools come in.

To date, private schools have only reached 31 percent of their target number of students.

“So, in spite of all the fears — COVID and the economy — enrollment is still going on. The assumption is that classes will start on 24 August because the students and parents have already enrolled. In fact, we have already achieved our target enrolment, which us our goal,” Briones added.

She noted that all districts and schools all over the country have been conducting a dry-run of blended learning approaches to ensure the readiness of the teachers, parents, students and local government officials in the coming school year.

“For example, the 345 districts and regions have already done their dry run. We have already practiced this. And on 10 August, when we launch the school year, we are already tried how it’s going to run on the radio, on TV, and what will happen if on an online platform or if its modular,” she explained.

Briones stressed limited face-to-face classes will be allowed only in low risk areas, or those already under modified general community quarantine or in the transition phase to general community beginning January 2021.

“Face-to-face learning will be in 2021, but we will be very strict with the health standards that we will be demanding,” she explained.