Several Local Government Units and local offices of the Department of Education in the province of Tarlac have declared “academic health breaks” due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases brought about by the omicron variant.
In Tarlac province, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Ronaldo Pozon issued Memorandum No. 2022-01-001 suspending classes and other teaching-related activities from January 17 to 28 due to the rise in positive cases in the province.
In Tarlac City, Mayor Cristy Angeles suspended classes from January 17-21 covering Kindergarten up to Grade 12 in all public and private schools in the city. The LGU of Ramos town announced that starting January 17-31, online and modular distance learning classes in daycare up to grade 12 are suspended with the municipality of Paniqui suspending classes in all levels likewise from January 17-31 while Capas declared health break from January 17 to 22.
The DepEd Central Office said that for the duration of the suspension of classes, it is expected that physical reporting of teachers will not be required by the school heads.
The mid-year break scheduled on Jan. 31 to Feb. 5, 2022 shall be utilized by the learners to comply with backlogs in learning outputs while teachers are expected to attend to their usual activities including in-service trainings and other learning related undertakings.
The lost contact days shall be compensated by mechanisms such as independent study, remediation, enhancement activities and other related teaching-learning interactions.
The DepEd Central Office also stated that private schools, in consultation with their respective parents’ associations, may exercise their own discretion relative to the suspension of classes.
Governor Susan Yap said in a statement that the suspension of classes is a preventive measure.
“The spread of the virus is very fast and alarming. The suspension of classes minimizes the exposure of students and teachers to COVID-19,” The governor said.
AFMC