Students of the Abellana National School in Cebu City take a break at the start of the in-person classes on Wednesday, Nov. 2. (NESTLE SEMILLA / INQUIRER VISAYAS)
The Department of Education (DepEd) has released the guidelines for public schools seeking exemption from the full implementation of in-person classes.
In a memorandum released on Thursday, DepEd recognizes that some schools 鈥渕ay be temporarily unable to comply with the requirement of five days in-person classes鈥� that may be due to 鈥渃ircumstances beyond their control.鈥�
Under DepEd Order No. 50, schools may apply for exemption if they are experiencing delays in the repair or construction of school facilities due to calamities or when a classroom is being used as a temporary evacuation center.
Shortage of teachers, classrooms and furniture, as well as the 鈥渆xistence of unfavorable peace and order situation鈥� in the school鈥檚 location and the immediate need for relocation of the school with a certification from appropriate government agencies are also valid reasons for exemption, according to the order. To request for exemption, the DepEd order mandates, among other requirements, that schools should be able to substantiate in writing the 鈥渆xceptional circumstance鈥� they are experiencing. The head of the requesting school must also ensure that the school has exhausted 鈥渁ll possible ways and means鈥� to comply with the mandatory five-day in-person classes. According to the order, the schools division superintendent will evaluate the request of public elementary and secondary schools 鈥渇or the implementation of blended learning modality due to exceptional circumstances.鈥�
In DO 30, as amended by DO 44, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte requires all public schools to transition to five days of in-person classes.
鈥淎fter the said date, no public school shall be allowed to implement purely distance learning or blended learning,鈥� the order stated.
DO 30 excluded schools granted with an exemption, whose classes are canceled due to disasters and calamities or those implementing alternative delivery modes, such as home schooling.
Based on DepEd鈥檚 latest data, 774 out of 827 public schools in Metro Manila, or 94 percent, are already implementing the mandatory five-day in-person classes, while 53 schools are allowed to continue with blended learning.
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