The Department of Education (DepEd), on Sunday, May 10, released its guidelines for the resumption of school year 2019-2020 through summer class, which will start today, May 11. Part of the memorandum signed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones is to encourage schools to implement distance learning as parts of the country are still under quarantine to contain COVID-19.
In compliance with existing lockdown measures—where classes in enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine areas are still suspended and people aged 21 years old and below are advised to stay home due to their vulnerability to the disease—DepEd says, distance learning modality or remote learning shall be utilized “until there is a decision by the proper authorities permitting learners and teachers to leave their home for school purposes.”
Summer 2020 remedial, enrichment and advancement classes will last up to six weeks and can include Saturday classes, but may be cut short when “when the essential learning competencies have already been attained.”
[READ: Saturday online classes eyed if ever school year opens August—DepEd]Enrichment classes, on the other hand, may be extended until the start of school year 2020−2021, according to the memorandum. A letter of request to their Schools Division Office must be accomplished by schools that wish to offer summer classes.
Remedial classes must be taken by Grade 1 to senior high school (SHS) students who earned a grade of 75 in any subject in order for them to advance to the next grade level. Students also have the option to complete remedial classes by taking make-up classes during school year 2020-2021.
Likewise, advancement classes may be offered to SHS students who “would like to pursue their immersion prior to the start for SY 2020-2021; or would like to take advance subjects prior to SY 2020-2021 so that more attention or focus shall be given to their immersion work in the succeeding semester.” The implementation of which will be on a voluntary basis.
Education Secretary Briones announced earlier that SY 2020-2021 will officially open on Aug. 24. Face-to-face classes, however, might not still be offered during this time, subject to government approval. In such case, classes may be done online.
Header photo courtesy of Inquirer
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