Province drafting schools’ new normal

CEBU, Philippines — Learners in the province of Cebu may have to face an alternate class schedule in what would become the "new normal" after the corona virus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic.

Sugbo News, the official news outlet of the Capitol Public Information Office, reported that during a Task Force New Normal meeting, Department of Education (DepEd)- 7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez presented the Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) drafted by DepEd central office.

In the LCP, Jimenez explained that schools may be required to allow 15 pupils per classroom as a preventive measure against COVID-19, once the current situation would be contained.

Dr. Marilyn Andales, DepEd provincial supervisor, also updated that they will be identifying spaces to hold classes since some schools in the province have been temporarily converted into isolation areas.

She assured that DepEd would have identified these areas before August 3, the date the DepEd is looking at opening School Year 2020-2021.

In the same meeting, Jimenez also shared that pupils will be segregated into different class days.

Some would have to attend school only during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Others would have to follow a Tuesday, Thursday school schedule.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education also announced that universities and colleges would have to follow a flexible learning system.

In this system, tertiary education students may attend classes online or offline. At the moment, consultations are still being conducted on the appropriate learning method based on the specific situation of each college and university.

Task Force New Normal is a committee created to lay down protocols to be carried out once the enhanced community quarantine would be lifted in the province.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 had previously recommended that the province extend its ECQ until May 15.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in previous online press briefings, said that the Cebu Provincial Government, along with representatives from the business sector and other government agencies, will be busy making plans in the interim. GAN (FREEMAN)