Fearing risk of infection in schools, Gatchalian bucks face-to-face classes

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday opposed the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to hold face-to-face classes in areas considered as low-risk, saying such move would expose school children, parents and teachers to possible coronavirus infection.

In a statement, Gatchalian said DepEd should stick to distance learning modalities this coming school year.

“I strongly urge the Department of Education to continue with the distance learning modality and suspend face-to-face classes this coming August 24,” Gatchalian, chair of the Senate basic education committee, said.

“This is to protect our learners, parents, and teachers from the possibility of infection from the COVID-19 virus,” he said.

During a televised briefing aired Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the proposal aired by DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones to conduct limited face-to-face classes in areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) where there is a low-risk of coronavirus transmission.

But Gatchalian said allowing face-to-face classes will “once again enhance the movement of people,” which he fears could result in infections within schools.

“We don’t want a scenario where physical classes will be opened but will eventually be suspended again because of infections in their respective areas,” he said.

The senator pointed to the case of Metro Manila and other parts of the country wherein the movement of people resulted in the surge of COVID-19 cases after restrictions were slowly relaxed.

“We have seen (a) sudden spike of COVID-19 cases in provinces that never had cases from the beginning because of LSIs (locally stranded individuals) who were allowed to go home,” Gatchalian also said.

“The safety of our learners, parents, and teachers cannot be compromised. Our children are our greatest wealth and that their well being should be protected at all cost,” he added.

DepEd has been preparing for blended learning, which is a combination of online distance learning and in-person delivery of learning materials to the homes of the learners, for the reopening of classes on August 24.

Teaching with the use of radio and television were also being entertained for students who do not have access to a computer or the internet.

According to Briones, the number of enrollees in both private and public schools has so far reached 77 percent of DepEd’s enrollment target of 27 million.

EDV