PBBM: Let’s stick to health protocols
VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte yesterday said the opening of in-person classes despite the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges is a “big victory” for Philippine education.
During her visit to the Dinalupihan Elementary School (DES) in Bataan as part of her activities for the National School Opening Day, Duterte said: “The resumption of in-person learning today is a big victory for us. This is step that the DepEd has faced squarely despite the challenge posed by the pandemic.
“We acknowledge today is a victory for basic education, for all teachers, support staff, parents, LGUs, NGO, civil society organizations, and all education stakeholders. This is not only a day when we opened in-person classes but in what others would describe as a bold move, this is also a day when we made one of the most important decisions for our children, a decision that will tremendously impact their future,” she told her audience that included Bataan Gov. Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia and other local officials, DepEd Central Luzon officials, teachers, non-teaching staff of DES, parents and students.
President Marcos Jr. (PBBM) welcomed the physical return of students in schools after two years of online learning due to COVID-19.
He said he expects students to learn more and improve their competencies as they get to physically see and interact with their teachers and fellow students.
“It has always been my belief that learning will be more effective inside classrooms where students fully interact with their teachers and fellow students,” he said.
He reminded everyone that the threat of COVID-19 remains and urged teachers and students to continue observing minimum health protocols.
“I have no doubt that with Vice President Inday Sara Duterte at the helm of the Department of Education, we can be sure that the more than 28.21 million students enrolled in the K-12 system will finally get the quality education that our parents want for their children,” he added.
The DepEd said there were no major untoward incidents encountered while the PNP said the opening of classes went well as far as peace and order was concerned.
In a press briefing at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame a few hours after the opening of classes, PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said they have yet to receive information about crimes related to the event.
“So far we have not recorded any crime,” said Azurin. “We hope to intensify our crime prevention measures not only for today but also in the coming days so that students would feel safe and secure every time they go their respective schools.”
Despite the concerns of some groups, including teachers’ organizations, about the preparedness of schools to accept students for in-person learning, Duterte insisted the DepEd is ready and that guidelines have long been in place to prevent the possible spread and transmission of the coronavirus.
“We can no longer make the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to keep our children from schools. The Philippines is reopening up just like the rest of the world has reopened,” she said.
The Teachers Dignity Coalition had earlier appealed to DepEd to postpone the opening of classes to either September or October, while the Alliance of Concerned Teachers chided the department for what it said was its failure to address shortages in classrooms, chairs, and other materials.
Under DepEd Order No. 34 issued by Duterte, the formal resumption of full in-person learning is set on November 2, with schools using the period from August 22 to October 31 as a transition period.
The DepEd said majority of public schools reopened their doors to students yesterday.
Duterte said shortages in classrooms should also not be used as an excuse to defer the return of students to schools after more than two years of blended.
She cited as an example some schools in some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao ravaged by typhoon Odette last December that reopened their doors to students despite repairs not yet completed.
Duterte noted a school in Limasawa island in the Visayas that she visited before the opening of classes whose principal, Judette Kangleon, told her of their readiness to welcome students even through most of the classrooms still needed repairs.
“Ma’m Judette Kangleon told us they are prepared for the reopening of classes. They are representative of Filipinos who would not accept defeat and would rather find ways to overcome challenges,” Duterte said.
As of yesterday, DepEd said 28,035,042 students have trooped back to schools, higher than the number of enrollees last school year.
Calabarzon had the highest number of students with 3,826,697. followed by Central Luzon and National Capital Region with 2,903,610 and 2,717,755, respectively.
In the cities of Makati and Taguig, Mayors Abegail Binay and Lanie Cayetano said the first day of in-person classes in their respective jurisdictions went smoothly.
“I am glad to report that the first day of face-to-face classes in Makati’s public schools was successful. Nearly 80,000 students were able to come to school and were provided with adequate protection through the strict implementation of health protocols,” Binay said.
Binay said Makati’s 38 public schools were all fitted with thermal scanners at entry points, handwashing facilities, alcohol dispensers and foot mat baths. Air purifiers and UV light filters were also installed in every classroom.
She said each school had morning and afternoon shifts, with average classroom size of from 30 to 45 students.
Cayetano, who made the rounds of public schools in Taguig accompanied by local DepEd officials, said face-to-face classes were orderly and peaceful.
“We attribute this to the preparation and coordination work of the schools and the city government,” Cayetano said.
Paranaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez also visited several schools in the city, including Paranaque National High School where more than 17,000 students attended classes.
Meanwhile, officials in several areas in the country suspended classes on opening day due to tropical depression “Florita.” — With Jocelyn Montemayor and Victor Reyes
