THE GOVERNMENT aspires to have full face-to-face classes by November but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said blended learning can continue only in specific areas.

During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Marcos asked Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio to identify areas where blended learning will be implemented.

“Ang gawin na lang natin [ay] 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 nasusuplayan sa mga bata,” Marcos said.

“We continue with blended learning pero in very specific places lamang. As much as possible, face-to-face na talaga,” he added.

The Department of Education is pushing for 100% face-to-face classes later this year.

Under its Order No. 34, all public and private schools should have transitioned to five days in-person classes per week starting November 2.

However, Marcos said that several issues such as availability of classrooms and teachers, internet connectivity, and the increasing number of Covid19 cases might affect the conduct of physical classes.

If major concerns on face-to face classes are not addressed, he said that the government will be forced to continue holding blended learning classes.