Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday called on the government to be realistic and reconsider the resumption of face-to-face classes while addressing the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us all be realistic, di pwedeng naka-lockdown at nakakulong ang mga bata forever. Tanggapin na natin na (we can’t be on lockdown and the children locked up forever. Let’s accept that) this is the new normal,” Binay stressed.
“We've already heard first-hand feedbacks from parents and teachers that online and modular learnings are not for everyone. Siguro simulan na natin yung pag-balanse sa face-to-face learning at sa pag-address natin sa problema sa COVID (I think it’s time we start balancing the need for face-to-face learning and our attempts to address our problems with the COVID-19),” she stressed.
Binay said she shares Education Secretary Leonor Briones' position to conduct a dry run of face-to-face classes in select schools in areas where there are low-risk or zero incidence of COVID-19.
The senator said conducting face-to-face classes in these vicinities is possible as long as strict health and safety protocols are implemented in school and community levels.
“What's ironic, pinayagan na natin ang mga bata na lumabas at magbakasyon at pumunta sa (we allowed children to go out and go on vacation and to go to) malls which are high-risk environments, kaysa sa (rather than in) schools where there is a controlled setup,” she pointed out.
At the same time, Binay said DepEd must assess the readiness of local schools and local government units to respond to an emergency case as far as handling or managing a public health situation such as COVID-19 is concerned.
“DepEd can come up with a minimum checklist and see to it that schools and the community are equipped should there be any unexpected eventuality,” she said.