As schools start to open the school year 2020-2021 on August 24, several schools in basic education all over the Philippines have showcased various preparations to guide teachers, parents, and learners in the conduct of basic education in the new normal.

To give the public a better understanding of these preparations and new procedures ahead of the school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct a virtual launch of ‘Handang Isip, Handa Bukas’ on August 10 that will feature schools’ localized implementation of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).

“Na-practice na namin ito. On August 10, i-launch natin ang opening ng school year pero praktisado na ito kasi dinry-run namin anong itsura kung radio, anong itsura kung TV, anong mangyari kung online o platform, anong mangyari kung modular (We practiced it already. On Aug. 10, we will launch the opening of the school year. We already hold dry run what it looks like if it will be done through radio, TV, online or platform and modular),” DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said in her report to the President Rodrigo Duterte on July 31.

Ten schools of different types nationwide are set to show how they have contextualized the BE-LCP through simulation activities they have conducted in preparation for the opening of classes.

Navotas National High School, as one of the first schools in the country to conduct a dry run for distance learning this school year, will present their BE-LCP implementation in the context of a large urban school.

Mangayon Elementary School in Compostela Valley and Don Ruben E. Ecleo Sr. Memorial National High School in Dinagat Islands will highlight their preparation initiatives in a mountain and an island school setting, respectively.

IP and SPED schools, meanwhile, will be represented by Calay IP School in Sarangani Province and Malaya Elementary School in Pililla, Rizal, respectively.

Marinduque’s Don Luis Hidalgo Memorial School (rural-complete school), Abra’s Sucao ES (multi-grade school), Isabela’s Santiago City NHS (urban-medium) and Shining Light Academy (private), and Davao del Norte’s TAGUMpay Palengskwelehan ALS Center (school with community learning center) round up the schools that will present.

In addition, parents and learners who participated in the dry runs conducted are scheduled to give testimonies on their experience.

Handang Isip, Handa Bukas is the theme of DepEd for the school year 2020-2021 as it implements the BE-LCP to provide continuity of education and ensure the health and welfare of learners and teachers amidst the pandemic.

The program will be live-streamed on DepEd Facebook pages, and government TV channels PTV and IBC-13 as well as regional local channels that have partnered with the department for distance learning. (PNA)