Department of Education

DepEd refutes report that students drowned in attempt to submit learning modules

Bonz Magsambol

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Citing a police report, the DepEd says that the victims were delivering clothes to the father of two members of their group when the incident happened

The Department of Education (DedEd) on Wednesday, November 25, refuted a news report that a student and 3 out-of-school youth in Biñan, Laguna, drowned in an attempt to submit learning modules.

Citing a police report, the DepEd said that the victims went out to bring clothes to the father of two members of the group. The father is a fisherman.

“This was confirmed by the fisherman father himself,” DepEd said.

The DepEd also said learning module retrieval was also suspended that day due to recent typhoons.

The agency said it has reached out to the media outlet that reported the incident to rectify or delete the article. It also appealed to journalists to “thoroughly check the information we are reporting to the public.”

Implement academic ease

Meanwhile, the DepEd reminded its regional offices to implement “academic ease” measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers and other personnel in these difficult times.

“We must not compromise anyone’s health and safety in our mission to deliver quality education,” DepEd said.

On November 18, the DepEd rejected anew calls for academic freeze or the suspension or cancellation of the school year because this would have a “massive impact” on the lives of students “economically.”

Calls for an academic freeze resurfaced following the consecutive typhoons that battered the country in the past weeks, affecting students’ access to education due to loss of electricity, internet connection, and the destruction of their homes. (READ: ‘Ill-informed’: DepEd dismisses calls for academic freeze)

In early November, Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni) caused extensive damage in the Bicol region, and damaged at least 226 schools. Still recovering from Rolly, Luzon bore the brunt of yet another storm – Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) – on November 11.

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

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Bonz Magsambol

Bonz Magsambol covers the Philippine Senate for Rappler.