MARIKINA City Rep. Stella Quimbo said the government is still obviously unprepared for the planned eventual resumption of face-to-face classes next year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that there is no budget for the eventual transition.
“I think there is also lack of planning for what will be done next year because I saw that there is no budget for transitioning to face-to-face classes,” the economist-lawmaker told ANC.
Quimbo, a member of the Liberal Party, said many teachers and students still do not to have gadgets for online classes. She said the absence of funds for additional learning equipment in the proposed 2022 national budget means the government is planning to transition to in-person classes.
“If you don’t have a budget for gadgets, that means that you are targeting to reopen classes this 2022 but where is the budget for that purpose?” she said.
Quimbo also pointed out that the reopening of schools and campuses entails a budget for hand washing facilities, sanitation, medical supplies, and additional classrooms.
The pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in COVID low-risk areas started last November 15, also the start of Academic Quarter 2 of the current school year.
The Department of Education has said the assessment of the pilot run will be conducted from November 15 to December 22.
Students participating in limited face-to-face classes will go on Christmas vacation on December 20 until January 3, 2022.
The pilot study, to be held until January 31, 2022, will be followed by the evaluation and the presentation to President Duterte of the pilot report and any proposed expansion.
