VP Sara: Mandatory F2F classes to push through

MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte reaffirmed on Thursday that the implementation of in-person classes in public and private schools across the country will begin on November 2 to address learning loss.

Duterte issued the statement amid requests for reconsiderations in light of the risks posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and the short vacation of teachers for the next school year.

Duterte said during an interview that the Department of Education (DepEd) Order 034 has already been approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Meron po tayong na-cite na study doon sa ating presentation sa Pangulo, and this is a published paper already na there are really, truthfully learning losses sa mga bata kapag sila po ay nasa online classes or nasa distance learning… Nakalagay pa doon na it is more pronounced and learners are disadvantaged at home. So ang ibig sabihin po noon, it is worse doon sa ating pamilya na naghihirap (We have cited a study on our presentation before the President, and this is a published paper already, that there are really, truthfully learning losses among children when they are in online classes or distance learning. It also indicated that it is more pronounced and learners are disadvantaged at home. Meaning, it is worse for poor families),” she said.

The vice president reminded schools that they still have until October 31 to prepare for the full shift to a face-to-face class setup.

“For August 22 until October 31, options are indicated in our Department Order. First is the five-day in-person classes. Secondly, the blended modality. This is where [schools may opt to do] three days in-person [classes] and then two days remote, or distance learning. And then after they can shift to four days of in-person classes and one-day distance learning. Or they can mix up,” she said in mixed English and Filipino.

However, all schools from Nov. 2 and beyond must shift to in-person classes with the implementation of “physical distancing whenever possible”.

“The reason why we included the ‘physical distancing shall be implemented whenever possible’ is that, this is one of the considerations included because we don’t want to add, add on the burden of additional classes in schools due to distancing,” she said.

As school spaces vary in size, the DepEd will not establish a standard size or learners’ capacity per classroom.

Eating together is prohibited

Due to the limited spaces, Duterte also emphasized the strict prohibitions on eating, which might increase the probability of transmission.

“This is one of the instances, where we remove our face masks, so eating together, should be prohibited, and if the spaces are limited inside the schools, [learners] should be separated from each other by eating while facing the same directions. So [learners] will not be facing each other,” she added.

Meanwhile, Duterte urged parents or family members, especially the vulnerable ones, to get booster shots against Covid-19 since children were found to be of high recovery rate than them.

She mentioned that, in addition to vaccination, following the minimum health protocols would be very helpful.