MANILA — (UPDATED) The Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented "asynchronous classes/distance learning" for all public schools nationwide on Monday (April 8, 2024).

This was made "in order to allow learners to complete pending assignments, projects and other requirements," according to their advisory released on Sunday.

Photo from DepEd Philippines

"Sa totoo lang kasi galing tayo sa weekend tapos holiday tayo ng April 9 and 10, minarapat na rin po natin sa DepEd—upon instruction from VP Sara Duterte—na imbes na magkaroon ng in-person classes, ay gamitin na lang na oras para makapaghabol sila sa mga performance task [at] assignment na hindi pa nasusumite. It's best kasi dire-diretso siya from Saturday tapos may holiday tayo ng Tuesday and Wednesday, so maganda 'yung timing para magamit nila 'yung panahon para dun sa mga kailangan nilang tapusin," Undersecretary Michael Poa, DepEd's spokesperson, said Sunday in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

The department's advisory also noted that teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools "shall not be required to report to their stations."

Poa also reiterated the reminder towards public school heads.

"Gusto rin natin paalalahanan ang ating mga school head na hindi po dapat natin ire-require ang ating mga teachers pati ang ating mga non-teaching personnel para magreport tomorrow sa kani-kanilang station," Poa said.

In terms of monitoring whether or not students would use the time given tomorrow in catching up on missed tasks, Poa said this will be determined if the students manage to submit their missed tasks.

"The main monitoring itself is 'yung makapagsubmit sila so we leave it all to the teachers naman kung ano 'yung mga gusto nilang gawin for tomorrow... so hindi naman siguro kailangan na talagang tutukan at bantayan pa kung ginagawa nga ng ating learners 'yung mga tasks nila," the official said.

DepEd, however, clarified that private schools shall not be covered by the announcement but may opt to follow suit.

Regarding suspensions of in-person classes due to extreme heat, Poa said public schools may do it "at any time."

"At any time of the day or at any time, pwede po magsuspinde ang mga school head ng kani-kanilang mga in-person classes para talagang masiguro natin 'yung safety at kalusugan ng ating mga mag-aaral at pati na rin ang ating teaching and non-teaching personnel sa school," Poa said.

The department has previously suspended on-site classes due to the extreme heat and unbearable temperature.

DepEd: Local school heads may suspend in-person classes amid extreme heat

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