MANILA - Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Wednesday the opening of classes in public schools on Aug. 24 will proceed despite the extension of the enrollment period until July 15.

“Hindi po nagbabago ang school openings,” Briones said in an online press conference as she sought to clarify supposed "misconceptions" on the blended learning methods imposed by the government.

(School opening will not change.)

The DepEd announced that around 16.6 million students have already enrolled, as of Wednesday.

While public schools are set to start classes on Aug. 24, Briones reiterated that private schools can choose when to start their classes, but school administrators have to justify it.

"Ang private schools, may kaluwagan dahil may private schools na may college studies and offerings na nagsasabay. Kaya may iba na September pa nagbubukas. Pero, of course, they will be justifying this since ang batas nagsasabi na hanggang last day of August lang ang school opening,” Briones said.

(Private schools have more freedom because some private schools also have college studies and offerings. That is why some schools have decided to open classes on September. But of course, they will have to justify this since the law says school opening should not be past the last day of August.)

Malacanang announced yesterday that enrollment in public schools has been extended until July 15. It was initially slated to end June 30.

The DepEd said remote (text messaging, phone calls, social media) and drop box enrollment in public schools will continue due to the continuing virus risk.

Briones also addressed supposed fears over the resumption of face-to-face learning, saying such will not push through until “it is safe to do so.”

“Sinasabi ko pa nga 'yan na wala tayong face-to-face na klase hanggang it will be safe to do so by the Department of Health, Inter-Agency Task Force, and itong si Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte.” Briones said.

(I will reiterate that we will not have face-to-face classes until it will be [declared] safe to do so by the Department of Health, Inter-Agency Task Force, and President Rodrigo Duterte.)