Despite the threat of COVID-19 pandemic, the palace stated that the classes will still reopen on August 24th. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque reiterated that the government will not put the students at risk.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing based on the assumption that the country will be under the ‘new normal’ by the time of August 24. However, in case that the country is still not under the ‘new normal’ by the time comes, Roque stated that DepEd has another back-up plan which is “blended learning.”

In blended learning, schools will utilize different platforms aside from the Internet only. Options will include community radio stations, community TV stations, PTV-4 and etc. especially for those who cannot access the Internet. 

“The reality is, there are still far-flung areas without Wi-Fi. So in addition to online learning, we will be tapping community radio stations, community TV stations, PTV-4, and even private companies such as ABS-CBN, for instructional purposes,” he said.

“[But] blended learning does not completely preclude face-to-face. In fact, there may have to be small meetings just for assessment purposes. That’s why it’s called blended. We can be creative about it,”

“Enrollment will proceed because whether or not this is face-to-face or blended, you have to enroll your children because there has to be a basis for assessing whether or not after one year, your children will progress to the next level,” he added.

As for private schools, “If it’s special learning which really has only about 15 students, I see no reason or obstacles for the DepEd not to allow it. But there will have to be an accreditation process to be arrived at by the DepEd,” Roque stated.