The Department of Education (DepEd) has allotted around PHP1 billion in support funds for all public schools nationwide as more schools are set to participate in the progressive expansion of limited face-to-face classes.

“Nagdadagdag din kami ng (We provided additional) resources, in addition to the regular budget. We are spending PHP 1 billion more to strengthen the progressive expansion para sa mga (for the) schools,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

“The progressive face-to-face as part of blended learning has already started as early as February and we are anticipating na mas lalong dadami ang mga schools na sasali dahil pagpasok ng NCR, malaking bulto ng eskwelahan yan pati sa other places na nasa level 1 at 2 na,” she added.

Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla reported that the Department has prepared Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) budget allocations primarily to implement coronavirus disease 2019 safety measures in schools and provide learning materials for blended learning.

“Kami po ay naghanda na ng pondo para sa pag-prepare natin ng ating progressive expansion ng face-to-face classes. In fact, na-meet na po namin ang ating mga Regional Directors. Marami po sa mga pondo na atin pong pinaghahandaan ay yun pong physical arrangement ng eskuwelahan, yun pong protection and safety ng mga learners at mga guro at syempre yung mga learning resources na kailangan natin,” Sevilla explained.

As of March 1, the DepEd reported that there are 4,295 schools out of 6,213 schools that are implementing the limited face-to-face classes across the country.

The PHP1-billion budget will be distributed to all public schools and can also be used to provide television, speakers, and laptops for classrooms to support blended learning in the expansion phase.

“Iba na po ang itsura ng classroom ngayon at iba na rin po yung pagtuturo ng ating mga guro. Kailangan na po ng mga added electronic devices sa mga classroom. Ito po yung mga gastos o budget na ating pinaghahandaan (Classrooms and the mode of teaching have changed. We need added electronic devices in our classrooms. That is where our budget will go.),” Sevilla added.

The DepEd Central Office Budget Division has downloaded the Sub-AROs last March 4 to the respective divisions.

Meanwhile, the DepEd also reiterated that schools will still implement blended learning as the pandemic risks are still present and for the learners to develop their digital skills.

“Gusto ko lang i-emphasize na hindi ibig sabihin na ngayong mag-progressive face-to-face na tayo ay iiwanan na natin yung konsepto ng blended learning. Kailangan pa rin yung online, hindi yung dati nating nakasanayan (I would like to emphasize that we will not abandon blended learning just because we are shifting to progressive face-to-face classes. We still need online classes, and not just what we were used to.),” Secretary Briones said. (PNA)