After more than a year of resorting to a hybrid format, President Duterte may now allow the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in coronavirus (COVID-19) low-risk areas, Malacañang said.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement a week before the opening of School Year 2021-2020 on September 13, 2021.
In his press briefing on Monday, September 6, Roque said the President was now open to allowing the resumption of in-person classes on the condition that it will only be piloted on low-risk areas.
"Ang initial reaction ng Presidente, kung talagang pilot, at sa mga areas na mababa talaga ang kaso, he may allow it (The initial reaction of the President was if it will just be pilot implementation on areas with a low number of cases, he may allow it)," he said.
"Just so we can pilot it and see if it works if it can be implemented in other areas," he added.
According to Roque, a small group of representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) will meet with President Duterte to discuss the matter since the issue of face-to-face classes has ceased to be a pure education matter.
"It is a multidisciplinary issue now involving the Health Department because of mental health issues, effect to the children, and the lack of socialization on the children; as well as an economic problem because we are dealing with a generation that could possibly be lost as a result of yung hybrid na ini-implement natin (the hybrid format that we have been implementing)," he said.
"So we agreed that a small group will present to the President," he added.
The Palace official said they are now working on scheduling the said meeting.
"I wanted to schedule it as early as possible but we're working on it," Roque said.
"I want it to be an intimate meeting with the President, just on this topic," he added.