DepEd: No guidelines yet on proposed 'no failing grade' during pandemic

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said that they have not yet formed a guideline about the proposal of some lawmakers not to give failing grades to students while the distance learning is being implemented amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said in a press briefing in the Palace that they have not created definitive policy on passing all the students in their grades. "Hindi pa tayo dumating sa stage na 'yan dahil ang gusto nating ma-establish, 'yung continuity ng education para sa ating mga bata," she added.

(We have not arrived on that stage yet because we want to establish the continuity of education of the students.)

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Bong Go proposed to DepEd to give all students a passing mark, to lessen the pressure and stress among the youth amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

"For the next six months, huwag muna nilang gawing pass or fail. Siguro pasado muna lahat until we can come up with a vaccination program or they can come back face-to-face and meet with their teachers again," Zubiri said.

(For the next six months, they should not give a pass or fail grade. Maybe we should give them all a passing grade until we can come up with a vaccination program or they can come back face-to-face and meet with their teachers again.)

In the meantime, DepEd is already organizing interim guidelines for the assessment of student's progress for this upcoming school year, said Education Assistant Secretary Alma Torio.

He added that they are also assessing the grades of the students based on the performance standards and written output of the children.

Once the consultation with regional directors is finished, the interim guidelines will be released shortly, said Torio.