The Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) is bent on postponing their school opening until a vaccine is available.
The group disclosed that private schools without adequate resources may not be ready to meet the challenges of blended learning as some of its members and their personnel have not received the same assistance and training afforded to public learning institutions.
“The suggestion of ACT not to hold classes this school year may prove to be the most palatable. Private schools that can readily meet the challenge of online learning with connectivity and authentic program shall be allowed to open. However, those private schools without adequate resources based on LCP, may be requested to join the public school volunteers…,” FAPSA explained.
Department of Education (DepEd) USec. Nepomuceno Malaluan said Sec. Briones has already raised the concerns of private schools with the IATF.
Meanwhile, based on DepEd data, there are 13,752,109 enrollees for the upcoming school year as of 8:00 a.m. of June 23. The number is expected to double since the drop box system has been allowed in areas without internet connection.
300,000 teachers have already undergone upskilling for online teaching while repairs and improvements of school facilities in areas that will soon have physical reporting of personnel are ongoing.
The scheduled formal opening of classes remains on August 24. The DepEd reiterated that there is no need to purchase a gadget for blended learning as it has been preparing for self-learning modules. The department is expected to release its health protocols this week which would also include testing.
