School Year 2020-2021 may start in August says DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering to open classes for the next school year in August.

The agency had consultations with government officials, businesses and other stakeholders. According to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, based on these talks, most of them recommended starting the next school year in August. Hence, giving everyone enough time to adjust and work with the changes in the educational system and in teaching methods and to ensure the safety of students.

However, DepEd Sec. Briones also said at the Laging Handa briefing that whatever will be recommended by the IATF and decided upon by the president, these will influence when SY 20-21 will start.

DepEd considering Saturday Classes

She also said that the agency is looking at completing the next school year by March just like in the past years which is why they’re considering the conduct of Saturday classes.

DepEd Learning Continuity Program

If classes do start by August, Sec. Briones assured that students will continue learning through the Learning Continuity Program to make up for not being able to go to school for months.

According to DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan,  this is the reason why they conducted a survey that aims to inform people about “policies and decisions on the opening of classes for SY 2020-2021.”

The plan about the learning program will be discussed and presented to the IATF and they will be incorporating results of the survey in the planning, he said.