Face-to-face classes possible in areas despite pandemic –Imee Marcos

Holding face-to-face classes in some safe zones in the Philippines was possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Imee Marcos said on Monday.

"I really will push for that because in many, many places that's really the only alternative, unfortunately," Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, said in a virtual interview.

The senator said students in geographically isolated areas may find it difficult to study through remote forms of learning for lack of access to the internet and supervision from teachers.

"Puwede namang face to face kahit one hour lang, 'yung ibang grado, lalo na 'yung maliliit kasi ang hirap hirap magturo ng remote sa maliliit na bata," she added.

Nevertheless, schools in areas with a low risk of COVID-19 infections should still follow minimum health standards such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, provision of handwashing facilities, and COVID-19 testing among teachers before being allowed to conduct physical classes.

"Siyempre naka-mask, siyempre naka-social distancing, kumpleto ang handwashing facilities at higit sa lahat, maliit na maliit na lang ang klase," she said.

Marcos pointed out that there was still no clear plan for a TV- and radio-based instructions, and that some children may struggle with the self-learning printed modules that would be distributed by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Last week, the DepEd bared that only four out of 10 public school teachers had been trained for distance learning. The printing of self-learning modules would not start until July.

Marcos said she would support Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, in recommending the postponement of the start of classes on August 24 if the DepEd was not ready to effectively implement its learning continuity plan.

"Yung DepEd, sabihin na nila 'yung totoo kung kailan mag-uumpisa na medyo handa. Medyo—siyempre hindi tayo totally handa, we are doing our best," Marcos said.

Err on the side of caution

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said earlier that the possibility of face-to-face classes in some parts of the country could only be determined by mid-July.

"There are local governments, there are units, there are islands which have not even heard of COVID, even as they're very close also to places which are crowded with COVID victims. We are also monitoring these and we will be reporting to the President on the situation," Briones said.

Gatchalian, for his part, said it was best to err on the side of caution and not allow face-to-face classes even if other countries in the Southeast Asian region did.

"Lalo na ngayon na very uncertain ang situation natin. Hindi siya [COVID-19 cases] bumababa eh. So, very emotional ang parents sa school opening," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he would not allow face-to-face classes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.  — DVM, GMA News