Senator favors pilot in-person classes

It would be best to first conduct pilot in-person classes in areas with low or zero COVID-19 cases before its resumption nationwide, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said on Sunday. But Angara warned that “extreme caution” must be considered because the threat of COVID-19 still exists in the country. Angara said he wanted to see children back to their schools, saying this would ease a lot of stress and pressure on both the students and their parents who have been forced to cope with blended learning. President Duterte has already rejected the resumption of in-person classes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available in the country. But if ever the Department of Education decides to resume in-person classes, Angara said this must be done under “very controlled conditions.” Senate President Vicente Sotto III also earlier pushed for the resumption of in-person classes in areas with few or no COVID-19 cases.

—Nestor Corrales