MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded parents that enrollment in all public schools in the country, both elementary and secondary, will start on June 1, 2020.
The Department advises parents to prepare their children for the upcoming opening of classes on August 24.
DepEd Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo on Friday (May 22) said parents may enrol their children online or call the school so they don’t need to go personally to observe physical distancing.
Meanwhile, parents may call DepEd’s hotline 8636-1663 and 8633-1942 or email the agency at action@deped.gov.ph for enrollment concerns though DepEd is still finalizing adjustments in the enrollment procedures.
Parents will be asked about which learning system is applicable to their children in view of the adjustments due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
Enrollment runs until June 30.
“Sa bagong enrollment guidelines, ang kanilang dating class adviser ang siyang mag-i-input o kaya ay mag-e-enroll sa kanilang mga estudyante para sa susunod na school year, [Under the new enrollment guidelines, their former advisers will be the ones to input or enroll the students for the next school year],” Usec. Escobedo said.
“May mga platforms na gagamitin katulad ng online enrollment at meron ring SMS at pwede ring tawag thru hotlines na ibibigay ng mga eskwelahan, [There are platforms that are available like online enrollment, SMS, or they can call to the hotlines that their respective schools will provide,]” he added.
Escobedo said DepEd is constantly coordinating with the House of Representatives as regards the adjustments that the agency wants to apply in the country’s education system in the coming school year.
The official ascertained that the Department is now preparing all the needed learning materials based on the level of health risks of COVID-19 infection.
The DepEd official maintained that face-to-face classes remain restricted in areas that the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 identified as ‘high-risks.’
In relation to this, DepEd has issued a memorandum order detailing different options for alternative work arrangements among teaching and non-teaching staff under the Department to ensure that proper protocols are observed specifically social distancing and minimum health standards.
Meanwhile, Escobedo said the DepEd is appealing to the HOR for additional funds in order to provide teachers with laptops that they need to cope with the new normal in the education system.
The said additional funding, likewise, will be used to establish clinics in school premises, procurement of thermal scanners and hygiene kits.
“Sa Kongreso po ngayon ay pinag-u-usapan na po talaga ay ang mga susunod na batas para mapag-bigyan po talaga ang Executive Department na magkaroon sila ng flexibility na matugunan nila ang pangangailangan para dito sa panlaban sa Covid-19,” noted Rep. Roman Romulo, Chairman of the House Committee on Education.
[In fact in Congress at present, we are discussing a proposed bill that will grant the Executive Department flexibility in responding to the needs of the public to combat COVID-19.]
The HOR has asked DepEd to submit in July a concrete plan on how it will efficiently deliver the lessons to students without compromising the quality of education so that Congress will be able to assess the needed additional funding. MNP (with reports from Joan Nano)
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