DepEd: F2F classes remain the ‘best option’ for basic education

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is all set for the return to full face-to-face in all public schools beginning next month, citing the fact that in-person learning remains the best option for basic education based on studies.

In a statement released on Monday, DepEd maintained its confidence in the benefits of conducting face-to-face classes to “promote academic development and the overall mental health and well-being of our learners.”

DepED stated before the start of the school year this year that all public schools nationwide will implement five days of in-person classes beginning Nov. 2, 2022.

When classes for School Year (SY) 2022-2023 started on Aug. 22, DepED allowed both public and private schools that offer basic education to implement multiple learning delivery modalities which include five days of face-to-face classes, blended learning, and full distance learning.

The prescribed modalities, however, will only be implemented until Oct. 31.

While acknowledging the advantages of in-person classes in basic education, DepEd issued an Amendatory DepEd Order to DO 34, s. 2022 on Monday , also known as the School Calendar and Activities For School Year 2022-2023, permits private schools to provide their students with both blended learning modality and full distance learning options.

“DepEd is cognizant of the current situation of the private sector due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic — the amount of investment in online learning technologies, the development and institutionalization of best practices on blended learning, and the unfortunate closure of small private schools because of losses,” the agency said.

After its decision, DepED said that it will leave the discussion on the learning modality to be implemented by private education institutions to the schools, the parents or guardians, and the learners.

DepED, meanwhile, expressed hope that parents or guardians of private school learners “would not miss the abundance of scientific studies available on the advantages of in-person classes over online learning.”

DepED added that it will also “expedite the review” of the blended learning program to ensure that it will “benefit our learners and essentially address learning issues.”

Besides private schools, DepED said that public schools that “expressly granted exemptions” by the Regional Director concerned and schools with canceled classes because of disasters and calamities may also be allowed to continue the implementation of blended and distance learning.