As the Philippines observes the National Disaster Resilence Month, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday, July 3, stressed the need to strengthen the education sector's capacity to deliver education even in times emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pinagdaraanan natin ngayon ang pinakamalaking sakuna na nararanasan sa buong mundo (We are going through the worst crisis in the world)," Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said in a statement.
"Sa pagtataguyod natin ng new o better normal sa edukasyon, nais nating tiyakin na ang ating sistema ng edukasyon ay mas matatag sa gitna ng mga krisis upang matiyak ang kapakanan ng bawat mag-aaral (In pursuing a new or better normal, we have to ensure that our education system will be stronger for the welfare of our students)," he added.
The senator said the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic exposed the need for a more resilient and flexible education system, especially in the event of prolonged school closures.
More than 26.5 million learners in the basic education sector had to shift to remote learning following the shutdown of schools in March, 2020, Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said local government units, particularly local school boards, have an important role in improving the delivery of education in times of emergencies,
He also pushed for the passage of his Senate Bill No.1565 or the “Education in the Better Normal Act” which promotes the use of a hybrid learning system that utilizes alternative learning modalities such as homeschooling, online learning, radio and television-based instruction, and printed modules.
The bill also seeks to mandate that in health-related emergencies, safe school reopening plans should identify basic interventions such as cleaning and disinfection of schools, the provision of public health supplies, preventive public health programs, teacher training on disease prevention and management, among others.
It also proposes to make mental health services, life skill classes, and psychosocial first aid available to learners. For learners with disabilities and other marginalized learners, accessible and responsive services should be provided.