Several schools are implementing shifting of classes and blended learning as an intervention to classroom shortage on the first day of academic year 2023-2034, Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Asecretary Francis Bringas said on Tuesday, August 29.
"'Yung shifting natin, this was an intervention, yung alternative natin dahil may mga schools na may kulang sa classrooms. Kailangan talaga nilang mag-shifting. Ayun talaga yung mga measures natin para ma-address yung shortage ng classrooms natin," he said in an interview during DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
In the shifting system, Bringas said some learners are scheduled for classes in the morning while others are in the afternoon.
"Meron din namang iba na shorten hours tayo. Karamihan sa Metro Manila, yung mga nag-double shift. Yung mga unang shift, mag-simula sila ng alas-sais ng umaga then 12:30pm naman yung panagalawang shift natin," he added.
Asec. Francis Bringas, Department of Education: Si Sec. [VP Sara Duterte] nasa Cebu ngayon para sa school opening.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
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The DepEd Assistant Secretary also said that schools are also applying blended learning or modified in-school approaches to ensure that all students can experience face-to-face classes.
According to Bringas, schools in Bulacan and Pampanga that were severely hit by typhoon Egay's wrath are still in the process of maintenance.
"In the meantime na hindi pa ready mga classroom, nag-aano rin sila ng shifting and other alternative deliveries," he added.
Bringas earlier confirmed the country lacks 159,000 classrooms for this school year.
The DepEd, meanwhile, noted that the enrollment is still open for learners until Friday, September 1.
As of August 28, the total number of enrollees nationwide has reached 22,676,964.
Three regions had the highest number of enrollees recorded, these are Calabarzon with 3,465,598; Central Luzon with 2,586,926; and National Capital Region (NCR) with 2,480,970.
