Schools near IEC venues: DepEd cancels some classes

CEBU, Philippines - A number of public schools in Cebu City will have no classes for specified dates during Cebu’s hosting of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress that would close several major thoroughfares.

With the classes suspended, city school authorities urged the affected school administrations to design a home-based learning strategy wherein pupils will work on lectures and activities related to their present lessons.

“Teachers are asked to adopt a modular approach. Even if the students are in their own houses, they will be given activities that they can bring home so that they will still have learning while classes are off,” said DepEd Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Bianito Dagatan.

The suspension of classes is upon the directive of DepEd Secretary Brother Armin Luistro, but the identification of the schools affected is based on the recommendation of concerned local government units.

The suspension of classes aims to decongest traffic and allow pupils and teachers to participate in the event set from January 24 to 31.

However, Dagatan said there are only selected schools allowed to declare a suspension of classes, particularly schools near the venues to be used for the IEC culminating activities.

From January 25 to 30, schools with no classes are Mabolo Elementary School; Mabolo National High School (day and night); Bagong Lipunan Elmentary School; and Barrio Luz Elementary School.

These schools, Dagatan said, are located near the IEC Village, which houses the IEC Pavilion, the main venue for the congress. Pope John Paul II Avenue will be closed to all vehicles from January 25 to 29, except for those with passes.

For January 28 to 30, night classes of Abellana National School and City Central High School will be suspended. A number of arterial roads will also be closed to pave way for the nighttime activity of the IEC – the Visita Iglesia on January 28.

On January 29, five public schools will have no classes, namely: Guadalupe Elementary School; Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School (day and night); Tejero Night High School; Lahug National High School (night); and Lahug Elementary School (afternoon classes only).

For two days from January 29 to 30, Abellana National School (day), City Central Elementary School, and City Central High School (day) will have no classes.

Dagatan said affected schools are required to conduct makeup classes so they can meet the 201 required classes in one school year. — /ATO (FREEMAN)