THE DEPARTMENT of Education may be able to resume face-to-face classes in August when the country is expected to have ample supply of vaccines against Covid19, Malacañang said.

“Baka by August, pupuwede na at least ‘yung pilot or ‘yung pilot can come earlier para mas marami na. Tingnan po natin. Lahat po iyan ay nakadepende sa pagbabakuna natin,” Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual briefing.

He added that President Rodrigo Duterte could allow physical classes once many Filipinos have been vaccinated against Covid19.

The DepEd is considering opening School Year 2021-2022  on August 23.

National Task Force Against Covid19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country expects a steady supply of Covid19 vaccines in August.

“Dahil matagal nang inirekomenda po ng DepEd, ng Department of Education ‘yung pilot na pagbubukas ng ating mga paaralan, kapag dumami na po ‘yung nabakunahan, wala na pong objection ang ating Pangulo,” Roque said.

The Asian Development Bank said in its latest Asian Development Outlook report that school closures leave a huge impact on the potential learning of students.

The closure of schools in the Philippines caused limited opportunities for students to learn better skills, it said.