By Fernan Angeles
APPALLED by reports that saw teachers in the countryside soliciting funds to defray the cost of reproducing learning modules for their students, Malacañang claimed the government has enough budget to fund the printing of learning modules to be used by students for School Year 2020-2021.
In a press briefing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was actually reacting to news reports that some public schools in the provinces are supposedly asking for donations to print out modules and other learning materials.
“Well naniniwala po ako na mayroong budget po para sa mga modules at kaya siguro humingi ng donasyon kasi medyo papalapit na iyong orihinal na pagbubukas ng pasok na beinte kuwatro sana ng Agosto,” Roque said.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated P9 billion for the printing of learning modules for the upcoming school year.
“Pero ngayong na-move na po sa Oktubre, siguro mayroon namang sapat na panahon para ipaikot ng DepEd iyong budget para sa modular learning,” he said.
On Friday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the DepEd’s recommendation to move the opening of classes from August 24 to October 5 amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
“Well, lahat naman po ng preparasyon ay ginagawa ng DepEd. Dahil na-postpone po ang pagbubukas ng pasok sa Oktubre, ibig sabihin mas maraming panahon pa ang pupuwedeng magugol ng ating DepEd ‘no para masiguro na seamless ang pagbubukas po ng ating klase,” Roque pointed out.
Under RA 11480, the President, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Education, has the power to set at any date the opening of classes in the entire Philippines or in selected affected areas in times of state of calamity or emergency.
RA 11480 amended Republic Act 7797, which set the opening of classes as early as the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.