DOH backs full implementation of face-to-face classes

FILE PHOTO: Learners of Napo Elementary School in Barangay Napo, Linamon, Lanao del Norte are separated with makeshift cubicles as face-to-face classes start. (Divina M. Suson)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) backed Friday the full implementation of face-to-face classes in the country, but stressed that a safe environment for children must be ensured.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire was reacting to the plans of Vice President and education secretary Sara Duterte to fully implement face-to-face classes in the country by November.

“The Department of Health fully supports the opening of classes, full implementation… we fully support that and even our experts have given their recommendations na kailangan na po talagang buksan ang ating mga edukasyon para sa kabataan,” Vergeire said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(The Department of Health fully supports the opening of classes, full implementation… we fully support that and even our experts have given their recommendations that we need to open our education system to our children.)

“We just need to ensure that there is this safe environment for our children,” she added.

Vergeire said that as much as possible, minimum public health standards will be implemented in all classrooms. If physical distancing is not possible, wearing face masks shall be required unless an activity demands exceptions.

“I think marami sa ating mga eskwelahan, hindi talaga kaya yung physical distancing so the most na ating ire-require would really be that the children will wear masks especially during those times na magkakasama sa classroom,” Vergeire said.

(A lot of our schools cannot implement physical distancing so the most we can require would really be that the children will wear masks especially during those times that they are together in the classroom.)

“But of course there will be exceptions, like kung meron pong high impact or yung mga strenuous activities sa mga bata, nae-exempt naman po,” she added.

(But of course there will be exceptions, for instance students have strenuous activities, we can exempt that.)

Teachers and non-teaching personnel who will interact with students shall also be vaccinated, said Vergeire.

The health official likewise stressed that while vaccination of students is not required, parents are encouraged to have their children inoculated against COVID-19.

“Maglalagay tayo ng mga bakunahan sa mga bawat eskwelahan para mas ma-encourage natin ang ating mga magulang para pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak,” Vergeire said.

(We will have vaccination sites in every school so that we can encourage our parents to have their children vaccinated.)

JMS