Health experts expressed their support for the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in low risk areas as proposed by the Department of Education (DepEd).
During the virtual signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular for the Pilot Implementation of Face-to-Face Learning Modality for Basic Education on Sept. 27, health experts coming from the Department of Health (DOH) and other groups delivered their messages of support to the pilot run of limited in-person classes amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
“We want to ensure that we provide safe learning spaces for children during this pandemic,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/20/deped-welcomes-approval-of-limited-face-to-face-classes-amid-the-pandemic/ Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other child health experts lauded the DepEd-DOH guidelines for pilot implementation of face-to-face classes
WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe thanked DepEd and DOH for the “commitment, the tenacity, and the continuing interest” they have shown to implement limited in-person classes in select schools.
Abeyasinghe also underscored the importance of an all-of-society approach and solidarity at the community level to keep schools safe and reduce transmission of COVID-19 once the pilot run of face-to-face classes in a maximum of 120 schools commences.
“This is all about taking a risk-based approach,” he said, noting that WHO --- together with other partners --- will continue to work closely with the Philippine government through DepEd and DOH to “support safe in-person learning beginning with this pilot project.”
Aside from WHO, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSPI) and the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) also expressed their support for the implementation of the pilot face-to-face.
Both groups underscored that the guidelines set by DepEd and DOH will ensure the safety of participating learners.
“May tiwala ang PIDSPI na ang mga hakbang na naibalangkas ng DOH at DepEd, sa tulong ng LGUs, WHO, UNICEF at Pediatrics Specialty Societies ay ligtas para sa mag-aaral mga guro at iba pang staff ng paaralan upang mapanatiling malinis ang loob ng paaralan (PIDSPI is confident that the measures outlined by DOH and DepEd, with the assistance of LGUs, WHO, UNICEF and Pediatrics Specialty Societies are safe for student teachers and other school staff to keep the campuses clean),” PIDSPI President Dr. Mary Ann Bunyi said.
PPS President Dr. Joselyn Alonzo-Eusebio also echoed the message, adding that the age group of five to eight years old has been identified to be the “least affected” by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This group, she added, is also the “most in need of actual face-to-face learning as far as basic reading and writing are concerned.”
After several consultative meetings with DepEd and DOH, PPS supported the recommendation for the resumption of face-to-face classes for selected pilot schools which pass the safety school readiness evaluation in minimal to low-risk COVID-19 areas for Key Stage 1 group or ages 5-8 years old.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/20/junior-high-school-students-not-yet-included-in-limited-in-person-classes-deped/
WHO and other partner agencies vowed to continue working with DepEd and DOH in assisting the agencies in the pilot face-to-face and the next phases of the implementation.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Leonor Briones thanked all the organizations that expressed support to the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes.
“Thank you very much for your support, all of those who have participated in this long but very careful process,” she added.
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https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/20/untimely-and-dangerous-deped-govt-urged-to-rethink-limited-face-to-face-classes/