DepEd says can't declare nationwide 'academic break'

Jaehwa Bernardo and Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Teachers of the Rafael Palma Elelmentary School in Manila last October 5, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/10/22/teacher-parent-story-gc-26.jpg"/><figcaption>Teachers of the Rafael Palma Elelmentary School in Manila last October 5, 2020. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Despite calls from various groups, the Department of Education cannot declare a nationwide &quot;academic break&quot; because the COVID-19 situation varies across the country, an official said Wednesday.</p><p>&quot;Hindi puwedeng sa buong bansa sasabihin [namin na] magkakaroon ng academic break kasi iba-iba naman &#x27;yong COVID situation,&quot; Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said in an online press conference.</p><p>(We can&#x27;t say that there&#x27;s going to be an academic break in the entire country because the COVID situation is different in each area.)</p><p>&quot;Kung ano iyong sitwasyon sa COVID-19 ay dapat may angkop na aksiyon ang ating mga principal, mga schools superintendent,&quot; he said.</p><p>(Whatever the COVID situation is in an area, the principals and school superintendents should take appropriate actions.)</p><p>San Antonio also reminded the public that schools can implement an &quot;academic ease&quot; policy, under which deadlines for requirements can be moved or some items in learning modules can be considered optional.</p><p>Should public schools opt to take a break, they have to make adjustments to meet the minimum number of school days for the academic year, San Antonio said.</p><p>In the same conference, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the declaration of an academic break also depends on the advice of the Department of Health.</p><p>The Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Teachers&#x27; Dignity Coalition earlier called for &quot;health breaks&quot; in public schools, saying many educators and students have gotten sick with either flu-like symptoms or COVID-19.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/11/22/2-week-health-break-in-philippine-schools-urged">2-week quarantine &#x27;health break&#x27; in Alert Level 3 schools urged</a></li></ul><p>Last week, several higher education institutions and private schools declared class suspensions from Jan. 10 onwards as teachers and students fell ill.</p><p>The Philippines has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the country reported 32,246 new infections.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/12/22/ph-posts-highest-number-of-active-cases-yet-32246-new-infections-logged">Philippines posts highest number of active cases yet; 32,246 new infections logged</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1892052" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Department of Education cannot declare a nationwide 'academic break' because the COVID-19 situation varies across the country, an official said Wednesday.

DepEd says can't declare nationwide 'academic break' | ABS-CBN

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DepEd says can't declare nationwide 'academic break'

DepEd says can't declare nationwide 'academic break'

Jaehwa Bernardo and Arra Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 12, 2022 04:56 PM PHT

|

Updated Jan 12, 2022 09:13 PM PHT

Read More:

education

basic education

Department of Education

academic break

health break

Covid-19

coronavirus

public schools

class suspension

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