By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: UNTV

There is no need for implementing academic break amid upsurge in coronavirus cases, an executive from the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday.

Addressing the calls urging the education agencies for a break due to imposition of stringent quarantine measures, DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio noted what the students need is academic ease in which the department is currently implementing.

“Naniniwala po kami na hindi naman kailangang itigil ang pagkatuto, ang kailangan ay mas maging considerate tayo sa mga sitwasyon ng bawat bata,” he said.

San Antonio added the lack of gadgets is not a “reason” for class suspensions since there are available printed materials for learners.

The education official further said the DepEd has asked teachers for lenient measures in giving submission deadlines and be more considerate on the situation among students dealing with different challenges being posed by distance learning modalities.

Earlier, Senate Basic Education Committee Chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian thumbed down calls for academic break.

Due to coronavirus pandemic, the basic education classes in public schools began in October under distance learning, a modality involving online, printed, television, and radio-based instructions.

The 2020-2021 academic year is set to end on July 10, 2021, in order to address “the required essential learning competencies.”


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