DepEd allows 52 schools to continue blended learning amid congestion

The Department of Education has approved the request of 52 public schools to continue blended learning methods despite the DepEd’s order for the resumption of full face-to-face classes starting November.

According to Maki Pulido and Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras”, several schools had to deal with congestion due to the increasing number of students and the shortage in classrooms.

One school, the Manila Science High School, has been allowed to hold full distance learning because a high-rise school building is still under construction.

The DepEd Central Office said it was waiting for the reports from the regions to determine how many more schools would conduct blended or full distance learning.

“We want to bring the learners back in school but we have to bring them back safely also so that is why under the mandatory DO, we also provided room for exemption depending on the situation,” DepEd spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said.

“As the Vice President and Secretary for Education Sara Duterte has mentioned, we are now studying also the possibility of institutionalizing blended learning. Baka isa po yan sa magiging solution natin sa mga shortages natin ngayon,” he added.

The Batasan Hills National High School has at least 18,638 students whom it needs to fit in 107 classrooms.

Doing so would mean teaching 90 students in every classroom in a shift of two.

“Siksikan eh talaga naman hindi conducive to learning yon sa mga bata,” said Principal Eladio Escolano.

The official said the school had to resort to shifting and blended learning for students, who will come to school for three days and stay at home with learning materials for two days.

“Dumadami talaga yung estudyante tapos yung rooms hindi nadadagdagan ang gagawin ko ulit maghahati ulit ng mga rooms. Band-aid solution ‘yun eh,” Escolano said.

The DepEd said it approved the appeal of the Bataan Hills National Highschool to conduct blended learning.

The nearby Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City said it could handle full face-to-face classes. However, it will have morning and afternoon shifts to accommodate all students.

“Sapat yun kasi we have the six hours contact with the children so enough ‘yun but not I think in three shifts,” Wilma Rosal, principal of Commonwealth Elementary School, said.

Some students remained wearing face masks in classrooms as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

“Yung COVID po malala para sa mga bata po, kaya ingat na lang din po kami,” a student said.

“Maliit po yung room namin and marami po yung mga estudyante at talagang magkakalapit po talaga so maganda po talaga nakafacemask po,” another student said.

Students and teachers attending face-to-face classes may now opt to remove their face masks even in classrooms after the DepEd earlier said that it would abide by the existing national policy allowing optional masking indoors and outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since this is voluntary, mapapansin din naman natin kahit yung mga bata parang sanay na rin na may masks so ang bilin natin ay magmask pa rin, hindi naman siguro paglabag yun,” DepEd NCR director Dr. Wilfredo Cabral said.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday made optional the wearing of face masks indoors and outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The directive was provided under Executive Order No. 7, marking the first time since March 2020 that the public has had the option to wear face masks or otherwise in indoor settings. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News