STUDENTS are not required to wear uniforms during the resumption of in-person classes, Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Monday.

“Even before the pandemic, it is not a strict requirement for public schools to wear uniforms to avoid incurring additional costs to the families of our learners,” she said in a statement.

“All the more that it will not be required this school year given the increasing prices and economic losses due to the pandemic,” Duterte added.

Classes will open on August 22, 2022.

However, Duterte-Carpio ordered all schools to conduct physical classes five days a week by November.

“Starting November 2, 2022, all public and private schools shall have transitioned to five days in-person classes. After the said date, no school shall be allowed to implement purely distance learning or blended learning except for those that are implementing Alternative Modes,” DepEd Order 34, Series of 2022, stated.