(UPDATED) THE Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday, April 18, 2022, the suspension of classes from May 2 to 13 to give way to all election-related activities and duties especially of the teachers.

The class suspension covers all levels in public schools across the country.

This includes the conduct of in-person classes and distance learning activities.

“Ang mga guro ay inaasahan pa ring mag-report sa kanilang paaralan sa mga araw na walang election-related duties o activities,” it said.

(The teachers are still expected to report to their schools on days with no election-related duties or activities.)

The order is in accordance to the DepEd Order 29 series of 2021, or the School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2021-2022.

Private schools and state or local universities and colleges have the choice to implement or deviate from the said order.

The country shifted to blended and distance learning in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In November 2021, several schools started conducting limited in-person classes following the decrease in Covid-19 cases.

The DepEd earlier said that 13,692 public and private schools with around 3.1 million students are currently participating in progressive expansion of face-to-face classes.

The country will hold national and local elections on May 9, 2022. (SunStar Philippines)