By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Classes in Negros Occidental’s public elementary and high schools are closing second week of July.

Arnold Ian Arnaiz, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Schools Division of the Department of Education, said yesterday that graduation and moving up ceremonies are scheduled from July 12 to 16.

This means that submission of modules is scheduled before July 12.
However, teachers cannot pressure the children on the submission of modules especially in areas affected by high cases of COVID-19.

“Children will be given time to submit the modules especially in localities where there were suspensions of the release of modules because of orders coming from local chief executives,” Arnaiz explained.

He also emphasized that face to face moving up and graduation exercises are not allowed and it shall be done virtually.

“As much as possible it shall be done in a simple manner. The children are also discouraged to go to school for pictorials for their souvenir program for their yearbook especially that under the Inter-Agency Task Force protocols, 18 years old and below are prohibited from going outside their respective homes,” Arnaiz added.

Allowing children to go to school for pictorials requires the approval of the respective local government units.

As to the school opening for school year 2021-2022, Arnaiz said that it is tentatively scheduled at the second week of September pending the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte./DGB, WDJ