Secretary Leonor Briones said on Tuesday, November 24, that the Department of Education (DepEd) did not approve the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) community learning hubs, noting that the OVP “directly coordinated” with local government units.

Briones made the statement when asked by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a televised briefing to clarify Vice President Leni Robredo’s announcement on Monday about the OVP’s supposed joint project with the DepEd.

The said project involved conducting “face-to-face” classes for at least 6 students at a time through the OVP’s community learning hubs.

“Mayroon po ba itong katotohanan? Kasi ang alam ko ay bawal pa rin ang face-to-face classes hanggang bigyan ng OK ng ating Presidente,” Roque said. (Is there a truth on this? Because as far as I know, face-to-face classes are not still allowed until the President’s approval.)

Briones said that the policy of the President of “no face-to-face classes” remains in place.

“We have on record DepEd and OVP’s exchange of letters on the matter which is very clear that the Department has not given formal approval,” she added.

Meanwhile, OVP spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said “the Community Learning Hubs was coordinated DepEd at both the national and local levels, every step of the way.”

In a statement, Gutierrez said Briones even told the OVP in official correspondences that “it is a good initiative” and asked for details to “evaluate the feasibility of implementing such a program at scale.”

“Until today, national DepEd did not express any opposition to the initiative, and our Office has in fact been ready for any coordination to scale up the hubs,” said Gutierrez.

He added that “the hubs are not meant to be sites for classroom or face-to-face instruction; instead, it is meant to be a place for students where home-based learning is not conducive to get tutorial support in completing their modules and accessing resources, including the internet.”

“Strict compliance with health protocols is followed in the hubs. There is also proper coordination not just with local DepEd Divisions but also local government units to ensure a safe and effective learning environment,” said Gutierrez.

‘Limited’ face-to-face classes in 2021?

Meanwhile, Briones said that DepEd is studying the possibility of conducting “limited” face-to-face classes in 2021 given the recent developments on the COVID-19 vaccine.

She added that this would be allowed once the DepEd gets a clearance from the health department and the government coronavirus task force. She added that face-to-face classes would only be done in “absolutely safe areas.”

“Walang mga arrangement right now kung sinong mga grupo ang mag (There’s no arrangement right now which groups will hold) face-to-face classes because the President has not made any pronouncement at all,” she stressed.

Briones reiterated that DepEd was “trying to reduce dependency on printed modules” because of its negative impact on the environment and its expensive cost.

Solutions in consideration are: using gadgets where lessons will be pre-downloaded so internet connection will no longer be needed, and the possibility of traditional classroom setup.

However, access to technology remains a problem for most students in provinces, especially those whose families were badly hit by the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, experts have repeatedly warned that the public must remain cautious and continue observing minimum health standards such as practicing social distancing, wearing of face masks, and staying at home if possible, despite relaxation of quarantine measures.

Schools in the country opened in the middle of the pandemic using distance learning – a mix of online learning and modules – following Duterte’s directive to suspend face-to-face classes until a coronavirus vaccine becomes available. – Rappler.com