DepEd: F2F Classes Required For Public Schools, But Private Schools Allowed To Continue Online Classes

In July, the Department of Education released DepEd Order (DO) No. 34, announcing the official start of school year 2022-2023 and stating that both public and private schools would be required to hold face-to-face classes by November 2.

DO No. 34 specified: "Starting November 2, 2022, all public and private schools shall have transitioned to 5 days in-person classes. After the said date, no school shall be allowed to implement purely distance learning or blended learning except for those that are implementing Alternative Delivery Modes as provided for in DO 27, s. 2019."

On October 17, the DepEd annoounced an amendment, requiring only public schools to comply while private schools could continue blended and distance learning modalities.

The DepEd amendment reads:

"DepEd will leave the discussion on the learning modality to be implemented by private education institutions to the schools, the parents/guardians, and the learners.

"DepEd, however, hopes that parents/guardians of private school learners would not miss the abundance of scientific studies available on the advantages of in-person classes over online learning.

"Meanwhile, all public schools across the country will be mandated to implement five (5) days of in-person classes starting 02 November 2022."

The DepEd has expressed favor towards face-to-face classes, especially with scientific studies supporting the loss of learning that two years of the pandemic has caused students. According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has been "the worst shock to education systems in decades, with the longest school closures and looming recession."

Soon after Vice President Sara Duterte (also DepEd Secretary) made the previous annoucement in July, school cooperatives around the country immediately petitioned concerns of the public sector's readiness to resume face-to-face classes. According to CNN Philippines, DepEd has reported 90 percent of 47,000 public schools nationwide have implemented full face-to-face classes since August.

What other parents are reading

Sulitin Ang School Holidays! DepEd Announces SY 2022-2023 Calendar Of Activities

No Talking During Mealtimes, No AC In Classrooms: DepEd COVID-19 Guidelines For Face-To-Face Classes in November

DepEd, NBI To Investigate Alleged Sexual Abuse In Phil's Premiere Secondary Art School In Makiling

Students Who Contract COVID-19 Are Excused From Class – DepEd