The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday, May 5, 2021, that distance learning may continue until next year since the COVID-19 vaccine for children below 16 might not be available until April 2022.
“We plan for all possibilities,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones in a public briefing.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte rejected the pilot test for face-to-face classes in February since the vaccination drive has not been started yet.
Sec. Briones said that according to a survey conducted by DepEd, more than 50 percent of students were in favor of face-to-face classes. Majority of teachers are also willing to hold limited in-person classes.
To date, the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that has yet to hold in-person classes, even on a limited scale to supplement distance-learning modalities.
Read more: DepEd to accept early registration until end of May
