MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday expressed doubts that a shift to virtual classes could be “effectively implemented” across all sectors in the country.
In a statement, Drilon said the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed online learning, virtual classes and hybrid classes are “admirable for the continuous learning of the students” as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
But the senator pointed out that “the reality is, majority of our population does not have access to internet.”
“The internet in the country remains the most expensive yet the slowest among Asian countries,” Drilon said.
“I do not see how virtual classes being proposed by the DepEd can be effectively implemented across all sectors. The poor will be at a disadvantage here,” he added.
DepEd earlier announced that the school year 2020 to 2021 will open, physically or through online, on August 24.
DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the department is eyeing the use of information communication technology platforms, television, and radio in delivering lessons to students during the pandemic.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said that there will be no resumption of classes for as long as there is no vaccine for coronavirus, but Malacañang clarified that he meant to say the resumption of “face-to-face” or physical classes in August.
But while Health Secretary Francisco Duque III acknowledged the President’s concern for the school children’s safety, he said opening classes on August 24 would be “safe,” provided that the minimum health standard is observed in all schools.