September 11, 2021 – With the theme “OBE 2021: Bayanihan para sa Ligtas na Balik Eskwela”, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday will open School Year 2021-2022 featuring key developments and updates for safe return to schools.

On September 13, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is scheduled to give his message to learners and teachers while Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones is set to officially open SY 2021-2022 in the virtual National School Opening Day program.

“This school year, we would like to honor everyone who made learning continuity possible amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Our efforts throughout the year showed our deep understanding that education is our shared responsibility,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

In the program, DepEd Central Office Directors will provide live on-ground updates on the preparations of schools and field offices for the school opening.

The virtual program will also feature three panel discussions to be participated by DepEd officials, national government agencies representatives, and external partners, who will share relevant information related to the topics.

Antique representative and House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, Parents-Teacher Association Federation President Benjie Rullepa of La Union, Supreme Student Government President Mary Louise Caples of Leyte, and a representative from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will partake in the Education as Shared Responsibility panel discussion.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Administration and DepEd Task Force COVID-19 Chair Alain Del B. Pascua, Department of Health Director Beverly Lorraine Ho, BHROD Director Anne Rachel Miguel, BLSS Director Lope Santos III, and DRRMS Director Ronilda Co will share vaccination updates and other health-related initiatives for the new school year.

Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Revsee Escobedo, Undersecretary for External Partnerships Atty. Tonisito Umali, ICTS Director Abram Abanil, Mr. Genomel Jetonzo of World Vision, and Ms. Celerina Amores of Ayala Foundation will join DepEd Regional Directors Francis Bringas (CALABARZON), Ramir Uytico (Western Visayas), Art Bayocot (Northern Mindanao) to discuss their preparations related to Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela.

Secretary Briones, alongside other DepEd officials, will also address and answer questions and concerns from the general public and media partners.

The said virtual program will be live-streamed on the DepEd Philippines Facebook page and cross-posted in DepEd-affiliated, external, and media partners’ official social media pages.

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