ALL forms of classes -- limited face-to-face or modular blended learning -- in all schools under the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7) are suspended starting today, Jan. 24, until Jan. 31, 2022.
DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez issued the memorandum on Jan. 20, informing about the suspension of classes in areas under Alert Level 3 status within the region for eight days.
All local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas are placed under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 14 to 31, except for Siquijor. The national authorities placed Siquijor under Alert Level 3 a week after or since Jan. 21.
Jimenez told SunStar Cebu that the move was due to the increasing number of Covid-19
cases and the aftermath of Typhoon Odette (Rai), which devastated parts of Central Visayas last Dec. 16, 2021.
“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. For late submission of requirements, accommodations must be afforded for those with valid reasons,” read a portion of Jimenez’s memorandum addressed to the school division superintendents, assistant superintendents and other concerned school officials.
All individuals concerned are reminded to make necessary adjustments in the school calendar to ensure that the number of school days in the current school year remains not more than 220 days.
Meanwhile, Jimenez said private schools may exercise their own discretion relative to the suspension of classes and activities provided that they consult with their respective parents associations.
“Private schools, in consultation with their respective parents’ associations, may exercise their own discretion relative to the suspension of classes and K to 12 learning activities when Covid-19 risks in their respective areas are high,’’ he said.
Jimenez earlier left the discretion to suspend classes in all levels to the 19 school divisions in coordination with the concerned LGUs, citing that they are implementing a situation-location-based approach.
But the regional director stressed that some schools, including those that join the limited face-to-face classes, resumed their classes on Jan., 4, even amid the devastation of the typhoon.