Local DepEd Can Suspend Classes Based on COVID Situation

Regional and school division offices of the Department of Education can suspend classes within their jurisdiction depending on the health situation of teachers and students as COVID-19 cases soar driven by the hyper-contagious Omicron variant.

The DepEd, in a Jan. 12 memorandum, said it was giving its regional and school division offices the discretion to suspend classes for not more than two weeks depending on the COVID-19 situation in their jurisdictions.

Private schools are also allowed to suspend classes and other learning activities depending on the COVID-19 situation in their area.

“During the suspension of classes, all synchronous and asynchronous classes shall be put on hold while submission of academic requirements and conduct of other teaching-related activities must be moved to a later date," Deped Usec. Diosdado San Antonio said.

"For late submission of requirements, accommodations must be afforded for those with valid reasons," he added.

READ: Alert Level 3 Face-to-Face Classes for College Should Start Jan. 31: CHED

Should local DepEd offices order the suspension of classes, they are tasked to make the needed adjustments to meet the minimum 220 class days for the current school year.

The Philippines on Wednesday reported its second-highest daily COVID-19 case tally of 32,246 cases since the pandemic started in 2020. Active COVID-19 infections are 208,164.