THE DEPARTMENT of Education has set aside around P1 billion support fund for all public schools nationwide as more schools are set to participate in limited face-to-face classes.

“Nagdadagdag din kami ng resources, in addition to the regular budget, we are spending one billion more to strengthen the progressive expansion para sa mga schools,” Education Secretary Leonor 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 eskuwelahan iyan pati sa other places na nasa level 1 at 2 na,” she added.

Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said that the department has prepared Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses budget allocations primarily to implement Covid19 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 siyempre ‘yung mga learning resources na kailangan natin,” Sevilla explained.

As of March 1, 4,295 schools are conducting face-to-face classes.

The P1 billion budget will be distributed to  public schools and can 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,” Sevilla said.

Meanwhile, the DepEd reiterated that schools will still implement blended learning as the Covid19 risk remains.

“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,” Briones said.