At least 4,488 teachers were affected after 865 private schools have suspended operations for the coming school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education said Tuesday.
In a budget hearing, Undersecretary Jess Mateo said that affected teachers and other personnel of these private schools can receive assistance under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2 law.
“As of today po, there are about 865 private schools na nagsarado. Majority of which are pure elementary schools,” Mateo said.
The total enrolment in public schools reached 98.85 percent of the last year’s record, while private schools only have 48.32 percent, according to DepEd data as of Monday.
According to Education Secretary Leonor Briones the private education sector is mostly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mateo earlier explained that private schools suspended operation due to lack of capacity to comply with minimum health standards and low number of enrolment.
At least 398,933 students from private schools have already transferred to public schools, according to Deped.
Due to the COVID-19 threat, the DepEd decided to resume classes through blended learning, where students do not have to go to school to participate in classes to avoid possible transmission of the virus.
It also removed around 60% of the curriculum to adjust for the remote learning approach this coming school year, which was moved from August 24 to October 5.
The department has been preparing for ways to deliver education to students through self-learning modules, broadcast media, and the internet.
