Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday said Saturday catch-up classes or night shifts may be implemented after several weeks of typhoon-driven class disruptions.
In an interview on the sidelines of the 2024 Regional Conference on Educational Planning in Asia at the SEAMEO Regional Center in Quezon City, Angara underscored the urgency of make-up classes to prevent learning loss.
“We are telling everyone to get ready – that others will have Saturday classes, while others may need evening classes depending on the availability of teachers and facilities,” Angara said.
Based on the DepEd’s latest situational report, some 20,860,818 learners and 883,822 teaching and non-teaching staff in 42,099 schools were affected following the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Julian,” Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine,” and Super Typhoon “Leon.”
In terms of school days lost due to other weather disturbances since August, Calabarzon logged the highest record with 26 days of class suspensions.
Aside from Saturday or evening classes, Angara reiterated the pilot implementation of the dynamic learning program (DLP) – which involves utilizing “simple and targeted” activity sheets – this month to allow flexibility in learners’ activities.
DepEd earlier announced the pilot rollout of the DLP in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Angara likewise disclosed plans to map out crowded public schools, and the granting of vouchers to more learners from congested rooms.
He said coordination with local government units, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the private sector, among others, will expedite the rehabilitation and repair of damaged schools.
