THE DEPARTMENT of Education  has clarified that public school students are not required to wear school uniforms during online classes.

“The Department of Education is not requiring learners to wear school uniforms in any distance learning approach that they will participate in for school year 2020-2021,” the DepEd said.

The agency made the clarification after DepEd Region 7 director Dr. Salustiano Jimenez urged students to wear their school uniforms or appropriate clothing when attending online classes to prevent bullying.

DepEd, however, explained that public school students have not been required to wear uniforms even before the Covid19 to do away with additional expenses for their families.

“With face-to-face classes prohibited, learners are welcome to wear their most comfortable and appropriate clothes while learning in the safe confines of their homes,” DepEd added.

DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla, however, said this would apply only to public schools as private schools have their own policies.

“Private schools are authorized to draft and implement their own policies and rules, as approved by its governing body in accordance with law and applicable policies/rules of the department,” Sevilla explained.