With the spike of influenza-like illness cases (ILI) in several schools in Luzon, which has caused concern in the country, the Department of Education – Negros Island Region has reassured that no cases were recorded in the region.
DepEd-NIR Spokesperson Almyr Caezar Dequiña said over-the-weekend that despite the absence of the illness in the region, authorities are still preparing preventive measures to ensure the safety of students.
“We have no cases here yet, but definitely our health officers are looking into that and preparing for that one,” he stressed.
Classes in Metro Manila were recently suspended for two days, which served as a preventive measure against the sudden increase of influenza-like illness cases reported in the region.
Meanwhile, as per the declaration of the DepEd central office, a ‘Wellness Break’ for students and teachers in public schools, both primary and secondary, has been set to start on Monday, October 27 until October 30, Dequiña confirmed.
Since October 31 has been declared a special non-working holiday, students and teachers will return to school on November 3.
“The declaration was only for public schools. In private schools, it depends on their discretion, but they are allowed to conform to the released memorandum,” he said.
He further disclosed that the in-service training (INSET) programs for the teachers that coincides with the wellness break might be rescheduled for the benefit of the teachers.
Under the adjustment, schools are advised to defer INSET activities to a later date after the break. However, if rescheduling is not feasible, the INSET may still proceed voluntarily, and teachers who participate will be exempt from attending similar training later in the school year.
“We have INSET programs lined up, but according to the memorandum, these programs will be rescheduled. But if rescheduling it will not be feasible, we will push it through, provided that the attendance is voluntary. Those who will attend will gain service credits for their attendance,” Dequiña explained.
The wellness break modifies provisions under the DepEd memorandum that governs the schedule of the midyear INSET for teachers, in line with Department Order No. 12, s. 2025. (Richard Caballero Jr. via tvds)