Needed health break

Jacquelyn M. Tayag

The Department of Education has been making sure that the mental health of its personnel and learners are being taken care of. While it has consistently been conducting Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for stakeholders during this pandemic, it recognizes that looking out for everyone’s mental state is a continuous process.

It has also enjoined its field offices to focus on taking care of the mental health of their personnel because the difficulties brought by the health crisis in mentally exhausting, especially for the teachers.

Through School Mental Health Program Coordinators, field offices are also enjoined to conduct webinars, online conversations and consultations, or virtual training, while mental health breaks are encouraged in conducting these activities.

Just this week, various school divisions in Central Luzon have implemented an “academic health break” due to rising COVID-19 cases.

Various memorandum circulars were issued by DepEd regional offices in Pampanga Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Olongapo City and Zambales, suspending classes.

Virtual and physical classes in public schools in these areas shall be put on hold, while submission of academic requirements and conduct of other teachingrelated activities should be moved to a later date.

Private schools however have the discretion to suspend classes in consultation with parents.

Meanwhile, the DepEd said students who are not sick and well enough should do some self-study during the break, since distance learning setup remains the default learning delivery modality in basic education this school year.

Students can continue to learn lessons through printed or offline Self-Learning Modules (SLMs), whichever are accessible to them, the DepEd said. They may also get in touch with their teachers if needed.

Despite the suspension of classes in some areas, learning continuity remains the overall framework of DepEd, officials said.

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