AFTER ENACTMENT OF RA 11480: DepEd asked to further move class opening to September

A party-list congressman said Wednesday that with President Duterte’s signing of Republic Act 11480 or the “Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from 200 Days to Not More Than Two 220 Class Days, ” the government can now have to choice to move the opening of classes when the country’s educational system is really ready and equipped to conduct the virtual classes and the Department of Education’s so-called “blended learning.”

According to Congressman Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list who is one of the authors of R.A. 11480,  the law provides President Duterte more latitude to re-adjust the opening of classes in times of national emergency.

R.A. 11480 has amended R.A. 7797 which requires that opening of classes should be between the first Monday of June to the last day of August.

Through RA 11480, Ong said that the DepEd is no longer obligated to push for the opening of classes as prescribed by RA 7797 even if it is barely ready to conduct classes because of the continuing national health emergency caused by the Covid- 19 virus.

Instead of pushing for the August opening of classes, Ong said that this can be re-adjusted to September or October, or when the country’s educational institutions are really ready and prepared to conduct classes.

“We thank the President for signing of RA 11480. Pwede nang mag-set ng different date para sa  pagbubukas ng klase. Pwede na nating gawin na mag-umpisa ng klase sa September o October na lang – kung kailan may ready na ang lahat ng learners para sa bagong approach ng klase, o ng blended learning. We crafted the law so that the DepEd is be relieved from the pressure of opening classes even when it is obviously not ready,” Ong said.

“With this new law, we now have a leeway to prepare more and equip better both our learners and teachers. No more legal impediment for DepEd to postpone the opening of classes. Let’s use this time instead to make sure no learner, wherever they are, whoever they are, is left behind. DepEd should properly re-tool all their teachers and their system to adapt to the new normal of blended learning,” he added.

Last May 2020, Ong has urged DepEd to postpone the resumption of classes as Philippine education, along with its learners and teachers, is not ready to have virtual classes. The party-list solon stated that the resumption of classes this year resorting to online virtual classrooms would only prejudice students who are not equipped with e-learning gadgets and  could not afford to have any internet connection.

“With the newly-introduced blended learning method by DepEd, we still need ample time for the parents to prepare themselves to be equipped with this new method so that they can guide their children in this new approach,” Ong further said.

Ong also urged the DepEd to fully finance the acquisition of computers and other teaching tools for its teachers instead of simply extending loans for them because they would have to pay for them eventually with interests.

Since DepEd’s announcement of a “blended learning” method which includes online classes, distance learning, and distribution of print-outs to students, many parents have been reported to flock computer and gadgets stores trying to find the best-for-value tablets or laptops which can aid their children.

Ong also previously stated that online classes may be prejudicial to probinsyano students in far-flung towns, many of whom do not have access to reliable e-learning gadgets like smartphones, tablets and laptops, and stable internet connection.

“Sobrang hirap na ng buhay ng ating mga magulang sa panahon na ito ng COVID pandemic. Halos wala nang makain ang marami sa ating mga magulang dahil walang hanapbuhay habang naka-quarantine,” Ong said.

Ong also called on more telco towers to be constructed immediately for faster and better internet connection even in remote areas. Unlike first-world countries where internet is fast and cheap and parents can easily afford to buy gadgets for their children, the case is not the same for Philippines which has one of the world’s slowest yet expensive internet connection packages.

R.A. 11480 covers all grade schools and high schools, including foreign and international schools. It will take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Education Secretary Leonor Briones in news reports thanked Duterte and lawmakers for the new law, and promised to issue specific rules as soon as possible.