Gatchalian wants to maximize use of television, radio in student learning amid COVID-19 crisis

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday proposed to maximize the use of television and radio as learning resources of students under the so-called new normal environment in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education, recognized that while learning should not stop for students, not everyone has access to new forms of technology like the Internet through which they could continue their studies.

At the same time, the health and safety of the students, as well as that of their parents and teachers, should also be prioritized, he added.

"Kaya itong inihain nating resolusyon ay para tignan natin nang mas malalim kung ano ang mga bagong patakaran at polisiya para mapangalagaan ang kalusugan at mag-ingat ang ating mga mag-aaral, magulang at guro sa darating na pasukan," Gatchalian said.

The senator is referring to Senate Resolution 391 which seeks an investigation in aid of legislation to determine the appropriate recovery and transition measures for teachers, learners, and parents.

"Titignan rin natin 'yung paggamit ng mga teknolohiya... Gusto rin nating gamitin 'yung mga tradisyonal na teknolohiya tulad ng telebisyon at radio dahil ito ay mas malawak," he said.

"Mandato sa batas na 15% ng airtime ng telebisyon at radyo ay dapat ibigay sa pagtuturo at ito ay puwede nating gamitin sa pagtuturo sa ating mga anak," he added.

Gatchalian also said that since it is uncertain that the situation will normalize by August 24, the scheduled opening of classes for School Year 2020-2021, school days may be shortened to only one or two days per week.

The subjects taken by students in school might also be cut down to only the most basic ones.

"Kasabay nitong one or two times a week na pagpasok ay ang paggamit ng radyo at telebisyon sa pagtuturo. Bawasan na muna natin 'yung subjects na tinuturo. For example, tanggalin na muna 'yung PE, tanggalin na muna 'yung Home Economics. Ituro natin 'yung pinakamahalaga — Math, Science, English at Reading," he said.

"Ito naman ay ia-adjust lang natin. Hindi naman puputulin 'yung K-12 program. Ia-adjust lang natin dahil ang sitwasyon ngayon ay kakaiba," he added.

Gatchalian is hoping that a vaccine against COVID-19 would be discovered by August 24 to finally put an end to the disease.

"Sana ay tuluy-tuloy na itong paghupa at tuluy-tuloy nang mawala itong virus na ito. Sana rin by that time, meron na ring gamot na makikita—'yung vaccine o gamot na makikita para masugpo itong coronavirus," he said. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News