Private schools ask exemption from in-person classes
A federation of private schools yesterday appealed to the government to allow private schools to implement hybrid mode programs, with the Department of Education (DepEd) adopting in its place a policy pushing for the full implementation of the five-day in-person classes.
DepEd Order 34 s. 2022 bans any form of “purely distance learning” and blended learning in any school beyond 31 October.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte earlier said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “agreed that a plan should be made with a caveat that face-to-face classes shall be the priority and blended modality shall be considered only in specific schools and areas with special circumstances.”
Kasilag explained that FAPSA is not against face-to-face classes, noting that it realizes its optimum value.
Eleazardo Kasilag, president of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA), said that since Secretary Duterte did not mention which schools and areas are being considered for the setup of face-to-face classes, she could well exempt private schools in the National Capital Region.
“Private schools have the bandwidth and all students have either cellphone, netbook or tablet for distance online learning. In short, the FAPSA schools appeal to shift to flexible learning modes as the need arises,” Kasilag said in a statement.
He explained that FAPSA is not against face-to-face classes, noting that it realizes its optimum value.
“We are most concerned with quality but not at health’s expense of our stakeholders. We are not out of the virus’ reach yet, and also not veering away from the great advantage of digital education now readily available in most private schools,” Kasilag said.
“To go full face-to-face (classes) until 2023 may not be feasible to some parents, some of which have been asking for refunds and expressed willingness to stay from the school year if forced to in-person all the way,” he added.
Since the “DepEd Order 34 also did not outline any details for the areas with special circumstances,” all the more, private schools become qualified as they are not much affected because, we feel, it is pointed to some schools, not ours in FAPSA, Kasilag said.
“In private schools, the parents have a say because they pay for their kids. The parents’ views could not just be ignored. In fact, FAPSA schools really listen to them. They are our stakeholders. Private schools are also for them. This is the irony; in the public schools, the teachers have the views. It is the parents in FAPSA,” he added.
Kasilag said FAPSA school members appeal for government support for private educational institutions in the form of subsidy for pre-school and graders, which are already enjoyed by junior and senior high school students in some private schools.
“Preschool is the foundation of learning. Let us prioritize their needs,” Kasilag said.
President Marcos Jr., in a recent Cabinet meeting, said that the national government would be forced to continue carrying out blended learning if key concerns in the education sector, such as the supply of teachers and stable Internet, are not addressed.
“Stable Internet is something hardly addressed unless additional net providers come in with benefits in taxes and local legislation facilitates their access,” Kasilag said.
“If stable connectivity shall be a major condition, we are in for a long haul I am afraid. I just hope that statement sings a workable melody to our lawmakers not a swan song, lest our education gets out of tune again this school year,” he added.