October 17th, 2022
House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd district) lauded the decision of the Department of Education (DepEd) to allow private institutions to continue with hybrid school arrangements, in a reversal of initial policy pronouncements requiring all schools to resume face to face classes by November.
“I thank VP/Sec. Sara Duterte for this wise decision. Private schools are able to deliver a more diverse and flexible set of school services using technology. It’s good to allow them to continue such arrangements. It’s even better to learn from them,” Salceda said.
Salceda made the statement in light of the release of DepEd Order No. 044, s. 2022 which allows private schools to maintain hybrid arrangements after November 2.
“After November 2, no public school shall be allowed to implement pure distance or blended learning except for those allowed by the regional director, those whose classes are canceled due to disasters, and those implementing Alternative Delivery Modes,” the DepEd announced.
On the other hand, the national government said that public schools “shall have transitioned to 5 days [of] in-person classes” also starting November 2, per an earlier DepEd order dated October 17.
“Private education is more often a parental choice, so, allowing hybrid arrangements makes sense,” Salceda said.
Salceda, however, supports full face-to-face resumption of classes in public institutions.
“For public schools, full face-to-face is the best option. It will be a strain on working parents who have nowhere to leave their children if face-to-face school does not resume.”
Salceda also supports full face-to-face classes in higher education.
“I think it’s best for colleges and universities to resume face-to-face classes in full, especially for the sake of probinsyanos who have already resumed living near their campuses,”
“It doesn’t make sense that some classes are still held online while others are face-to-face. It doubles the cost. Students pay rent while having to also pay for internet and other costs. That’s not fair.”
“So, I support full face-to-face class resumption in college, especially in state universities and colleges.”