Published on: Thursday, March 04, 2021 By: ABS CBN News Teachers of the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila. MANILA: An education official defended Wednesday the Department of Education’s decision to extend the academic year until July 10 to address learning gaps among students. “We want to give children the chance to catch up because we don’t want anyone to be left behind even if it’s just one student,” said DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado Antonio. “’We assume that there would be lessons until Saturday so there’s no room for makeup classes, “ he added. ADVERTISEMENT DepEd implemented distance learning – where students study in their homes through printed and digital modules, online classes, television and radio – to avoid exposing education workers and learners to the risk of Covid-19, which has sickened over 580,000 in the country.