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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 27) – Three senators expressed their support for soon resuming ‘limited and localized’ face-to-face classes in some low-risk areas of the country.
On Friday, the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture discussed with Department of Education officials the current status of the blended learning system and the possibilities of resuming limited physical classes.
The Undersecretary of Education, Nepomuceno Malaluan, said that this year there are 25 million enrolled in public and private schools. The official added that fewer than three million students did not enroll due to the challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The reintroduction of face-to-face, even in blended learning conditions, is crucial to the learning process,” Malaluan said.
Senators Imee Marcos and Nancy Binay voiced support for resuming physical classes, with the former saying that schools are the safest place for children during the pandemic.
Marcos also criticized the measure to allow “cockfighting activities” but not physical classes to resume.
On the other hand, Binay also shared her fear that public school students will experience learning difficulties due to limited resources. Also, if children are allowed to go to tourist destinations, it could also allow them to go to school, he noted.
Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairman Win Gatchalian also pushed for the return of limited and localized physical classes, and even mentioned how spas or massage parlors are allowed to operate where physical or social distancing will be difficult to observe.
However, Malaluan reiterated that the decision to resume face-to-face learning rests with President Rodrigo Duterte.
DepEd said Secretary of Education Leonor Briones is finalizing her recommendations on face-to-face learning for Duterte.
The department will base its recommendation on factors including epidemiological evidence from scientific experts, health and safety management of school facilities, as well as shared responsibilities and established infection control procedures among stakeholders.
DepEd added that limited face-to-face classes may continue in areas under the modified general community quarantine.
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