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Health expert: We want F2F classes, but ensure safety of learners first
Health expert: We want F2F classes, but ensure safety of learners first
Less than two weeks before the resumption of full face-to-face classes in public schools, demands for the implementation of stringent Covid-19 measures have resurfaced.
In a press conference held by education group Aral Pilipinas, a health reform advocate stressed the need of ensuring the safety of children in light of the scheduled resumption of in-person classes.
“We all want na makabalik na ang mga bata sa eskwelahan. Noon pa man, ‘yung Nov. 2 face-to-face classes ay winelcome naman natin. Hindi rin natin maitatago ang priority talaga natin ay dapat economy, pero kaakibat nito ay yung ating pag iingat sa mga bata (We all want the children to go back to school. Even then, we have supported the implementation of face-to-face classes on Nov. 2. We cannot deny that our priority should really be the economy, but along with this, we should also ensure that our children are safe),” said health reform advocate Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon on Monday, Oct. 24.
The expert stressed that this age group's wall of immunity, in terms of Covid-19, is “not as strong as adults,” adding that the recently-reported local transmission of Omicron variant XBC and subvariant XBB has further placed them at risk.
Despite the lingering threat of Covid-19, the national government, on Sept. 12, through Executive Order No. 3, has decided to ease the mask mandate in the country, allowing the “voluntary” wearing of face masks in outdoor and non-crowded areas.
With these developments, Leachon laid out his suggestions on keeping children safe.
“If we cannot make everyone wear masks, let us make our ventilation guidelines clear instead,” he said. Apart from this, the expert is also pushing for the establishment of “sanitation stations” in order to safely and gradually “instill” the essence of cleanliness in schools.
“I support the government in their economic measures, but let us protect the kids,” he furthered.
As mandated by the Department of Education (DepED), private schools will be able to continue any of the following learning modalities past Nov. 2, 2022: in-person classes, blended learning, or full distance learning. All public schools, however, were instructed to transition to five-day full in-person classes.