With more schools expected to hold face-to-face classes with the easing of coronavirus restrictions, the Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that vaccination against COVID-19 will not be “required” for learners but will remain “mandatory” for participating teachers and personnel.
“Are we requiring our children to have vaccinations, bago sila makapag- participate (before they can participate)? Not necessarily. Hindi (it is not) required, it is voluntary kasi ang parents ng magde-decide niyan (because the parents will decide on that). But of course, we would encourage them,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said during the Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, March 2.
Briones said that DepEd is not requiring learners who are attending face-to-face classes to be vaccinated against COVID-19 since it is the decision of the parents whether they will be inoculated or not.
Another reason, Briones said, is that children have a “stronger immunity” against COVID-19.
“Sa mga bata (among children), we are encouraging it kasi sa ating (because in the) pilot, with more than 15,000 participants, ni isa walang tinamaan ng COVID (no one got infected),” Briones said citing the result of the pilot study conducted last year where there was no recorded infection among learners who participated in face-to-face classes.
While vaccination against COVID-19 is not mandatory for learners who are attending face-to-face classes, Briones stressed that teaching and non-teaching personnel are required to get vaccinated before they are allowed to participate.
“For us, this is important. It is mandatory for the DepEd that teachers need to be vaccinated,” Briones said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Briones explained that unvaccinated DepEd personnel must submit a negative COVID-19 test before they are allowed to enter the school premises.
“So, mandatory for those who will go into our school premises for whatever they’re going to do for those who are to work at home, their outputs will be closely monitored,” Briones said.
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https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/02/deped-expects-more-schools-to-hold-face-to-face-classes-as-ph-downgrades-covid-19-restrictions/