Just ten days before the initial August opening of classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) moved the opening of school year 2020-2021 to October 5, 2020.

This was announced by Education Secretary Leonor Briones in a virtual press briefing on Friday, August 14. The school year was initially slated to open on August 24.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), #AcademicFreeze, and DepEd shortly topped Twitter’s trending topics in the Philippines after the announcement.

A number of Filipinos were grateful for the announcement, but felt delaying the school opening to the year 2021 would have been a more appropriate adjustment, given the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Others called for an academic freeze, saying this would provide more leeway for both teachers and students to fully adjust.

Some netizens also said postponing classes would only be a “band-aid” solution if proper health solutions such as mass testing are not implemented.

DepEd’s announcement also prompted many college students to make memes on social media, as the department only covers basic education public school students. 

CHED previously said universities and colleges were prepared to implement “flexible learning” strategies and to open classes in August. (FAST FACTS: CHED’s flexible learning)

The commission has yet to make their own announcement for undergraduate and graduate students.

Here’s what other people had to say:

What are your thoughts on DepEd’s move? – Rappler.com