NEDA backs dry run of face-to-face classes

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is backing the conduct of face-to-face classes in areas with low risk of COVID-19 in January 2021, saying it can pave the way for further relaxation of the economy and allow those in lower age brackets to go out.

“Tama naman let’s pilot it and don’t open it for all, start small... see what can be improved and gradually expand,” Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Karl Kendrick Chua said during the virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

“I think itong simula ng face-to-face learning is an opportunity to see if minors going out, going back to school will actually cause any concern, and if not, we can relax as lower [age] as we can,” Chua said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, on Monday, approved the Department of Education’s proposal to conduct face-to-face classes, the pilot run of which would take place in select areas and that the attendance to would be voluntary. 

Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Wednesday said that a total of 1,114 schools were recommended to for the dry run.

While the NEDA backs the proposal, Chua, however, clarified that the agency relies on experts and other studies.

“What they are saying there is no replacement for face-to-face learning ‘cause it’s very difficult for the teachers to actually help the students,” he said.

The NEDA chief noted that in the conduct of face-to-face learning the risks should be managed and health standards should be strictly enforced.

“As we open the economy, we manage the risk that will be the direction that we should be going,” Chua said.

The country’s chief economist emphasized that allowing minors—aged 17 and below—can help the economy recover since 70% of it is consumption-driven, “half of which is family consumption.”

“If children can't go out, families are not spending,” Chua said, adding that “if you keep the kids at home, a big part of the sales are lost.”

Chua said allowing minors to go out is a continuing discussion between the national and the local governments.

Minors were previously not allowed to go out in Metro Manila, until the government agreed to allow people as young as 15 and as old as 65 to leave the home.

“Experts have advised that minors if they go out could contribute to the spread of COVID, especially in the Christmas season,” the NEDA chief said.

“We will continue dialogue with the experts to see when and how we can relax... but our proposal is really gradual relaxation as soon as possible,” Chua said. — BM, GMA News