DINALUPIHAN, Bataan — Vice President Sara Duterte reiterated that in-person education should push through despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hindi na po natin kaya na muling maantala pa ang pag-aaral ng mga kabataang Pilipino,” Duterte said before education officials, local government officials, and students during the National School Opening Day Program held here Monday.

“Kailangan na po natin silang maibalik sa in-person learning dahil sa in-person learning lamang nila makukuha ang makahulugan, sapat o wasto, at dekalidad na edukasyon na kailangan nila para sa kalinangan ng kanilang pag-iisip at kakayanan bilang mga indibidwal na magiging katuwang ng pamahalaan sa pagtatag ng isang malakas na bansa,” she added, stressing that the opening of in-person classes entails measures to ensure the safety of schoolchildren in partnership with the Department of Health.

Duterte described the commencement of school year 2022-2023 a victory.

“Tagumpay! Isang malaking tagumpay para sa mga kabataang Pilipino ang muling pagsisimula ng in-person learning ngayong araw — isang hakbang na buong tapang na ginawa ng Department of Education sa kabila ng mga hamon at takot na dala ng COVID-19 pandemic,” Duterte said.

“Today, we acknowledge that this is a victory for basic education. But without a doubt, this is also a victory for all the teachers and support staff, the parents, the LGUs, other government partners, private sector and civil-society advocate supporters, and all education stakeholders,” she added.

The number of enrolees in the country has hit 27.8 million from private and public learning institutions.

Duterte also told education stakeholders that "lack of educational infrastructure or the inadequate number of classrooms in certain provinces" is not another excuse to keep the children from schools, drawing inspiration from Triana Elementary School, an institution hit by Typhoon Odette in 2021 in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte.

“Representate rin ang Triana Elementary school ng katatagan ng mga Pilipino sa harap ng mga pagsubok at kahirapan — hindi nagpapadaig, kundi naghahanap ng paraan para malampasan ang mga ito. Para sa akin, palatandaan ito na tinatahak ng mag-aaral ng Triana ang daan ng tagumpay,” she recalled.

Dr. May Eclar, DepEd Region III Director, affirmed that schools in Central Luzon have all opened in today’s SY 2022-2023 kick off.

“Simula ngayong araw na ito, dito sa Gitnang Luzon, 100 percent sa mga paaralan natin ang nag-face-to-face. Ninety-eight per cent sa mga ito ang nag-five-day face-to-face o in-person samantalang two percent naman ang nasa transition period na kung saan may ilang araw sila sa paaralan at may ilang araw din sila sa distance learning,” she said.

Duterte visited several classrooms here and in neighbouring St. John Academy and Pagalanggang National High School where she reminded students that determination is key to success.

“Ang makakapagpabago sa buhay ninyo ay ang determinasyon ninyong magtagumpay,” she told learners.

OVP MEDIA