The proposed resumption of the pilot test of face-to-face classes in low risk areas will be studied by President Duterte in light of the gains achieved in the government's vaccination drive.
According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the President's decision on the proposed in-person classes would depend on the number of people who have taken the coronavirus vaccine.
When the proposal was first made by education department, Roque explained that the President wanted to first see the vaccination of many Filipinos before allowing the limited face-to-face classes in areas with low coronavirus risk.
“It will really depend kung gaano karami na po ang gustong makita ni Presidenteng nabakunahan na pero ngayon po mahigit medyo marami-rami na rin pong nabakunahan natin (It will really depend on how many people the President wants to see vaccinated but now we have vaccinated more than a few)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Thursday, June 3.
"Let’s just say na siguro tinitignan ni Presidente kung mayroong nang enough confidence na magsimula ng pilot (Let’s just say that maybe the President is looking to see if there is enough confidence to start a pilot),” he added.
Roque said Education Secretary Leonor Briones might renew her recommendation on limited in-person classes in the next Cabinet meeting.
"Antayin po natin muli ang magiging rekomendasyon ng Department of Education at magiging aksyon ng ating Presidente (Let's just wait again for the recommendation of the Department of Education and the action of our President),” he said.
"Pero ulitin ko po, itong pilot naman pong ito ay doon sa mga lugar na sadyang mababa po ang mga kaso ng COVID-19 (But I repeat the pilot proposal will be only for areas with low coronavirus cases)," he said.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) head Karl Kendrick Chua recently proposed to resume the pilot testing of face-to-face classes in lowest-risk areas amid the government's ongoing vaccination. Chua expressed concern that there might be long-term impact on learning and productivity if face-to-face classes are not yet resumed.
Last February, the President remained opposed to the idea of allowing in-person classes despite the start of the vaccination drive. Duterte said he was not ready to lose the lives of young people.
Back in December 2020, Duterte directed the education department to put on hold the planned trial run of face-to-face classes following the detection of a new coronavirus strain.
The trial run of the face-to-face classes was supposed to be held in selected schools located in low risk areas last January subject to health protocols. The participation of the students would have been voluntary with the necessary permit issued by the permits.