A workable compromise for public school classrooms

The opening of classes in the Philippines this coming school year remains an open question. President Duterte said this week he is against opening schools until a vaccine for COVID-19 is developed.

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“I will not allow the opening of classes na magdidikit-dikit yang mga bata (where the children get close to each other),” he said. “Without a vaccine, it’s really dangerous. It spells disaster.”

The school year in the Philippines has traditionally opened in June but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education decided to postpone it to August 24, about three months from now, hoping that by then, COVID-19 will have ceased to pose a danger to young pupils gathering in classes. The August opening is in line with the provision of RA 7977 that the school year shall start “on the first Monday of June but no later than the last day of August.”