THE DEPARTMENT of Education is firm in its stand to open classes for School Year 2021-2022 in August.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said only President Rodrigo Duterte can extend the opening date to early September.

“The President can extend the opening up to the first two weeks of September, but at this time, we couldn’t predict the behavior of Covid19,” Briones said.

“The stand of DepEd will not change. We’re always finding ways for learning to continue, but we will respect the law and provide the President with all the data that he needs to come up with the right or appropriate decision,” she added.

Under the law, the Education department is mandated to open the school year not later than the last day of August unless the president intervenes.

The decision to hold in-person classes will also depend on Duterte, Briones said.

“But whether it’s classes or online, the DepEd is ready. The new variant will only influence the method of learning delivery,” she said.