DepEd: No more final exams for WV public schools under community quarantine

MANILA –Public schools in Western Visayas that were suspended by their respective local government units (LGUs) due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak will no longer be permitted to hold final examinations for their students, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones on March 15 released the new guidelines, citing that exams for the fourth quarter, scheduled from March 16-20, “will no longer be administered” in areas with suspended classes.

Classes in Manila have been earlier suspended until April 14 by President Rodrigo Duterte to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other parts of the country.

Several LGUs in this region then followed by placing their areas under “community quarantine” in accordance with the President’s order to avoid “mass gatherings.”

The schools prevented from holding the fourth quarter exams are directed to apply a specific set “grading formula” for the computation of the final grades of the affected learners in the last quarter of the school year, DepEd said in a memorandum released Monday.

DepEd added that public schools will still follow the Policy Guidelines on Classroom Assessment for the K to 12 Basic Education Program for Fourth Quarter grade. Further academic requirements, if any, shall be done as home-based assignments.

Teachers are not required to report to schools unless ordered by the Schools Division Superintendent. They are also encouraged to use online portals identified by DepEd to continue lectures with students and perform their tasks.

Schools which continue to hold classes, meanwhile, must conduct their exams this week but on a “staggered basis.” Students should only come to school in varying schedules to take the tests.

DepEd also reiterated that in the graduation or moving up ceremonies set on April 13-17, people should apply proper social distancing rules.

The schools, in consultation with the Parents-Teachers Associations, may also opt to reschedule or forego holding of the rites, “should the public health situation prevent the holding of the rites within the said period.”

Private schools, meanwhile, were strongly encouraged to apply the new guidelines by DepEd./PN