Duterte approves face-to-face classes
Only in areas under low-risk Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ)
President Duterte has approved the proposed limited face-to-face classes in low-risk Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) areas starting January, 2021, with strict implementation of health measures.
(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR. / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President endorsed the proposal presented by Education Secretary Leonor Briones but with certain conditions during a meeting of the government task force on pandemic response on Monday.
“I’m with you on this,” Duterte told Briones in his televised remarks aired on state television Tuesday. “Let’s try to make ourselves productive even how constricted the times are. Okay ako sa ano (I'm okay with this),” he added.
Briones, who made a pitch for limited physical classes proposal as long as they are strictly regulated, thanked the President for his support.
Asked if the President has approved the DepEd proposal, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters: “Yes.”
In a later Palace press briefing, Roque presented the five conditions on face-to-face classes in certain areas, including allowing such classes only in “low-risk areas or those already at least under MGCQ or in the transition phase between GCQ and the New Normal.” The face-to-face classes will be allowed on January, 2021 or the third quarter of the school year, according to Roque.
Private schools that have started limited face-to-face classes last June will be allowed to continue. He said the decision to allow limited, localized face-to-face classes will be made with due coordination between DepEd, concerned local government units, and local health authorities.
Stringent health standards must also be followed in these schools. These measures include no mask, no entry policy in school premises; hand washing; regular disinfection in school premises; and checking of temperature and respiratory systems.
The class size will be reduced to maximum of 15 to 20 people in compliance with distancing rule on seating arrangement.
A pilot testing and inspection will be conducted by the National Task Force against COVID-19 for observance of required health standards.
The government had earlier moved to implement blended learning methods, such as online or distance learning, in lieu of physical classes to avoid the spread of coronavirus among students.
Classes are scheduled to resume next month. Education authorities recently proposed allowing limited physical classes in areas under MGCQ where there is low risk of coronavirus transmission. Schools however must follow stringent health protocols such safe distancing to curb the infection, according to Briones.
“If there is face-to-face, it will not be for the entire five days of school week. It could only be one day or two days and the sessions could be limited to the most important things that a child should learn,” Briones said during her presentation to the President.
“This is very important to us to continue the learning process, but at the same time assure the safety of our students,” she said.
Overall, Briones said the limited face-to-face learning basic education will only be allowed if “strictly regulated” and if schools will comply with the requirements set by the agencies.
Aside from being located in lowrisk areas, Briones said schools will only be allowed to hold limited faceto-face classes if they are “harmonious with the state of physical facilities of DepEd; the sizes of the classroom meet the requirements for social distancing; and classrooms must be in a standard physical condition.
“Schools must meet the minimum health standards of the DOH and the host local government unit must be ready to support financially as well as in other ways the requirements for limited face-to-face learning,” Briones ended. (With a report from Merlina H. Malipot)
READ MORE: DepEd proposes conduct of ‘limited, regulated’ face-to-face classes