Duterte made this statement while attending the first week of face-to-face classes at Don Pedro Vasquez Memorial School in Guimaras on Thursday, August 25, two years after the nation switched to online learning as a result of the health crisis.
The vice president visited the teachers and gave them academic reminders while she was there.
She said, “Kailangan nakatutok tayo sa academics ng ating mga estudyante to catch up on the learning losses during the two years na hindi sila nakapag-in-person classes (We need to focus on the students’ academics to catch up on the losses during the two years that they weren’t in classrooms).”
Furthermore, she noted, “Meron talagang kaibahan ang pure online na klase at yung merong in-person classes para sa ating mga learners (There really is a difference between pure online crisis and in-person classes for the students).”
No extracurriculars
Additionally, Duterte stated that some customary school activities would not be carried out this school year because the Department of Education (DepEd) is prioritizing students’ academic growth. This includes extracurricular activities and the yearly Palarong Pambansa.
“Ngayong taon po wala tayong Palarong Pambansa pero sa susunod na taon gumagawa sila ng draft proposal para sa Palarong Pambansa (We won’t have the Palarong Pambansa this year but they’re drafting a proposal to have it next year),” she noted.
Also, she said, “Meron tayong ilalabas na department order na nagsasabing dapat co-curricular at academic activities lang ang gagawin this school year. So ang mga extracurricular activities ay ipinagbabawal po natin (We will issue a department order stating that we are only allowing co-curricular and academic activities this school year. We’re not allowing extracurricular activities).”
The Vice President stated that the yet-to-be-released order would outline the minimum requirements for the permitted school activities for this academic year.
