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April 27, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd) supported the reintroduction of physical work immersion in the ongoing progressive expansion of face to face classes to strengthen active school participation and planning for various service delivery conditions.

In Senior High School (SHS), the implementation of physical Work Immersion, which is a required subject for the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track, was suspended during the COVID-19 situation.

“We are strongly suggesting that Work Immersion should be implemented for the Senior High School learners as they are nearest to accomplishing their postsecondary goals and dreams,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

During the regional EduAksyon Press Conference hosted by DepEd MIMAROPA, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio also stressed that the Department has created guidelines on Work Immersion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Puwede naman po kasi gawin ang immersion kahit hindi pa pinapayagan ang limited face to face classes noon, pero ngayong may face to face classes na, siyempre ibabalik natin face to face immersion. Maaring magkaroon ng pagkakataon sa aktwal na karanasan sa industriya ang mga mag-aaral sa Senior High School hinggil sa kanilang specializations na napili,” Undersecretary San Antonio explained.

“‘Yong immersion natin ay kasama sa magiging programa ng ating mga paaralan na babalik sa ating face to face classes pero kung saan man sila magkakaroon ng immersion kung anomang industriya ito kung anomang tanggapan ay isasailalim sila doon sa mga patakaran na pinaiiral ng IATF,” Usec. San Antonio shared.

In the recently approved Revised Operational Guidelines on the Progressive Expansion of Face to Face Learning Modality (DepEd-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2022), DepEd prescribes schools to fully comply with the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) which has been revised to allow more schools to eventually reopen.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for National Academy of Sports and Field Operations Malcolm Garma shared that schools undergoing assessments should prioritize the inclusion of SHS students in the expansion of in-person classes.

“Naniniwala tayo na ang Grades 11 and 12 ay kailangang bumalik sa kanilang klase, so ‘yong immersion natin ay kasama sa babalik sa ating face to face classes. Kung magkakaroon na sila ng immersion sa anomang industriya, isasailalim sila doon sa mga patakaran na pinaiiral ng IATF,” Assistant Secretary Garma emphasized.

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