Pasig plans to give tablets to public school students

The Pasig City government is preparing to give its public school students tablets so they can attend online classes amid the COVID-19 threat.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, parents of public school students are required to answer a learner enrollment survey form during the enrollment period on Monday so teachers can identify which students will be able to attend physical or online classes in August.

“Mayroon po tayong face-to-face ‘yong papasok ‘yong mga bata at mayroon naman through online gamit ang gadget. Mayroon ding gamit ang television or other medium. ‘Yon po ‘yong mga piniprepare ng DepEd (Department of Education) Pasig. Mabibigyan kami ng city government ng tablet. One is to one ang mga bata,” said Monina Javier Cruz, principal of Bambang Elementary School.

As safety measures for those who will attend face-to-face classes, students will be required to sit one seat apart to observe physical distancing.

For those who will attend online classes, Cruz said video modules will be downloaded in the students’ tablets.

“Iba naman talaga ‘yong akto na nasa loob ka ng paaralan kaya lang magkakaroon ng online, ‘yon po ang pinili ng magulang eh. Hindi po kasi mawawala ang takot ng mga magulang. ‘Yong continuity ng pagkatuto ng bata, ‘yon po kasi ‘yong first and foremost na objective,” Cruz said.

Schools also prepared stocks of alcohol, soap, disinfectant, thermal gun, masks, gloves, boots, personal protective equipment and semi-automatic sprayers.

Meanwhile, several parents still worry about their children’s safety once classes resume.

“Hindi po ako pumapabor sa face-to-face. Okay lang po sa akin na through internet para ma-secure pa rin po ang mga bata kasi baka makakuha pa sila ng virus. ‘Yong anak ko kasi mahina talaga ang kalusugan niya,” Ivy Alba said.

“‘Yong gusto ko nga walang pasukan eh kasi para sa kaligtasan ng mga bata, lalong-lalo na noong apo ko. Tutal bata pa naman, isang taon lang naman titigil ng pagpasok eh hindi naman matagal eh. Basta gusto ko lang may bakuna kagaya ng sinasabi ni presidente,” Theodora Javal added.

However, some parents said physical classes are better because students will be able to learn directly from teachers.

“Pabor po ako na papasukin ang mga bata sa eskwelahan kasi katulad ko po, nagtatrabaho po ako, hindi ko matutukan ‘yong anak ko sa bahay. Hindi ko naman po alam ‘yong ibang lesson na ituturo ko po sa mga bata. Mas maganda pa rin po na nasa school kasi may teacher pa ring nakaagapay sa kanila,” Elena Lopez said.

Cruz said only parents will be allowed to enter the schools during the enrollment on Monday.

Those who do not want to enroll physically, may also do it via telephone call, she added. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News