THE DEPARTMENT of Education will kick off the opening of classes on Monday, October 5, with a nationwide simultaneous flag-raising ceremony and various programs to be led by Secretary Leonor Briones.

The National School Opening Day Program will start at 7:30 a.m.

Briones will give an inspirational message and formally declare the opening of the new school year.

“Ito ay celebration, ito ay declaration of victory. A declaration of continuity of education whatever challenges we are facing. Education will continue, and children will continue learning, and parents will continue supporting us,” the DepEd chief said.

“Our government, our teachers, all of us are involved in this effort and this will be the biggest victory of all at this time of the pandemic,” Briones said.

DepEd’s executive committee member and service and bureau directors will give live updates on the implementation of distance learning on the first day of classes in the field offices or schools they will visit.

Panels related to the opening of classes and the implementation of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan will also be featured, including Oplan Balik Eskwela, Health and Safety Protocols, and Education Continuity.

The OBE panel shall be led by Undersecretaries Jesus Lorenzo Mateo and Revsee Escobedo. Regional Directors Wilfredo Cabral (Calabarzon), Ramir Uytico (Region 8), and Arturo Bayocot (Region 10) will also give field updates.

Deped Undersecretary for Administration and DepEd Task Force Covid19 Chairman Alain del Pascua, alongside Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service Director Ronilda Co, will discuss health and safety protocols for the school year together with field officials during the second panel.

Meanwhile, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio shall address concerns on distance learning while a teacher, a parent, and a learner will participate to share their hopes and experiences on the new normal.

During the Secretary’s forum, Briones will tackle pressing matters faced by the department.

Filipino teachers will also be honored during the program as part of the celebration of World Teachers’ Day and National Teachers’ Month.

DepEd TV teacher-broadcasters Pamela Amor Villanueva of Bagong Silang High School and Jamil Carvajal of T. Paez Integrated School will host the said event.

The program will be live streamed via DepEd Philippines and through various partner government institutions and media organizations.