DepEd pushes make-up classes amid learning loss concerns

The Department of Education (DepEd) plans to proceed with make-up classes to address learning loss from week-long suspensions of in-person instruction due to typhoons and the southwest monsoon.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed that additional class hours will be introduced to compensate for disruptions, emphasizing the impact on students if make-up classes are not implemented.

The implementation of make-up classes will be decentralized, allowing schools to decide on the modality based on their capacity, with options such as extending weekday hours or holding classes on Saturdays.

Consideration will be given to teachers' schedules and rest when planning these make-up classes.

However, teachers' groups like the Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Teachers' Dignity Coalition have expressed concerns, suggesting the utilization of existing buffer days in the academic calendar and warning of potential policy violations and added stress from Saturday classes during calamities.