Public school students can attend online classes without having to wear their prescribed uniforms, an education official said Tuesday. With schools closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, pupils need to shift to distance learning.
This clarification from Education Usec. Anne Sevilla came after the Department of Education urged students to wear the proper uniform to avoid incidents of bullying.
“Wearing of uniforms is not a requirement for public school learners to do distance learning,” Sevilla told ABS-CBN News.
The new school year is set to open on Aug. 24 with distance learning, as opposed to the familiar face-to-face onsite learning. Distance learning blends the use of printed and digital modules, online classes with teachers, and television and radio broadcasts. This follows President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders to keep schools closed until a COVID-19 vaccine is found.
Though class opening is only 2 weeks away, some teachers and students still do not have access to gadgets, electronics, and internet connections needed to participate in distance learning. Some teachers have called for a delay in the opening of classes, saying that both learners and educators are underprepared for the major shift.
Main image from Andy Falconer on Unsplash.