An opposition legislator urged the Department of Education on Thursday, June 2, to ensure the safe reopening of schools for the holding of 100% face-to-face classes.
“This is actually long overdue,” said congresswoman France Castro of the ACT Teachers party in Congress, referring to the holding of face-to-face classes.
“Our pupils have endured two years of blended distance learning which further worsens the education crisis in the country,” she said, adding that “face-to-face classes are still the best way for pupils to gain access to quality education.”
“We welcome this push from the Department of Education for the 100% face-to-face classes by [School Year 2022],” said Castro.
She said, however, that the government “should ramp up its plans and prepare our schools” and to also “boost the nation’s confidence.”
“Use scientific measures and not nonsense policies to ensure that our schools are indeed safe for in-class learning,” said Castro, who is also a teacher.
“Let us not waste any more resources with barriers and never-ending lockdowns of schools,” she added.
Among the measures proposed by Castro to ensure the safe reopening of classes are:
- Ensure that classrooms have better ventilation, air filtration, washing, and sanitation facilities;
- Ramp up vaccination programs;
- Provide free weekly testing for teachers and education support personnel who will participate in face-to-face classes;
- Mass hiring of school nurses;
- Provide a medical fund for the treatment of those who will get infected with COVID-19.
