Sara Duterte, the vice president and education secretary, stated on Thursday that the Department of Education (DepEd) did not impose a cap on the number of students that should be permitted in a classroom.
Social segregation will only be used in the classroom when it is practical, according to Duterte.
Duterte further stated, “Hindi po kami naglagay ng exact size ng class dahil iba-iba po yung situation ng lahat ng mga schools natin. There are no schools na pare-pareho sila exactly sa kanilang classrooms and sa kanilang teachers.”
Recently, Duterte signed Department Order 34, requiring all basic education schools to begin offering face-to-face instruction beginning November 2. Additionally, all earlier orders that conflict with the current directive are repealed by DO 34.
“So ang inilagay natin doon at in-approve din ng Pangulo during the Cabinet meeting is that physical distancing shall be implemented whenever possible,” she said.
According to Duterte, DO 34 also forbids students from dining together.
She also added, “Naglagay lang din po kami doon ng guide about eating dahil ito po yung isa sa mga instances na nagtatanggal tayo ng mask, na eating together should be prohibited and kung limited yung spaces doon sa loob ng eskuwelahan para tayo ay maghiwa-hiwalay para kumain ay we all eat facing the same direction so hindi po magkaharap ang mga tao.”
On August 22, public schools will begin their academic year.
