The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to draft a plan prioritizing face-to-face learning, and consider blended modalities for basic education in the country, Education chief and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Duterte said this came after she inquired about the possibility of “institutionalizing blended learning mode” to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the third Cabinet meeting.

“The President agreed that a plan should be made with a caveat that face-to-face classes shall be the priority and blended modality shall be considered only in specific schools and areas with special circumstances,” she said.

Duterte, meanwhile, stood pat on the DepEd’s stance to push for mandatory face-to-face classes starting November 2.

Marcos said during the Cabinet meeting that schools should work under the in-person learning setup, and the blended mode should only be allowed in particular areas.

“We continue with blended learning pero in very specific places lamang (but only in specific places). As much as possible, face-to-face… Ang gawin na lang natin, i-identify saan ‘yung areas na magbe-blended learning para maka-focus tayo. Ihanda ‘yung mga devices at mga kailangan nila na noong pandemic hindi nasu-supplyan sa mga bata (What we should do is to identify where to [implement] blended learning so we can focus. Ready the devices needed which were not supplied to learners during the pandemic),” he said.

Possible challenges in the upcoming school year’s reopening were also tackled including safety, as well as the adequacy of classrooms and teachers.

The DepEd has yet to draft the plan which will be subjected to Marcos’ review.

During the previous administration, under former Education Secretary Leonor Briones, blended learning has been deemed necessary for learners to cope both with the post-pandemic setup and the growing global innovative demand for technological orientation. (PNA)