Time to consider allowing face-to-face classes —Gatchalian

It may be time for the Philippines to consider resuming face-to-face classes as recent studies found that it was better for students to be in areas where health protocols are strictly observed, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said over the weekend. 

Gatchalian, who heads the basic education, arts, and culture committee, on Sunday said recent studies of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that children are more exposed in areas other than schools.

"Nakita nila na ang bata, nahahawaan pa sa labas ng classroom, sa labas ng eskuwelahan dahil nga 'yung bata nae-expose sa mga, for example sa mga bisita, sa mga pumupunta sa bahay nila o 'yung sa mga kalaro nila sa labas," he said in a radio interview.

"Kaya nakita nila mas mainam pang pumasok ang mga bata dahil doon sa classroom, alam nila 'yung ginagawa ng bata, mayroon health protocols at bantay sarado 'yung bata. Kaya nakita dito sa study na ito na mas mainam pang pumapasok ang bata kaysa nasa labas kung gusto natin pigil 'yung pagkalat at hawaan," he added.

This comes as a fall 2020 study by the CDC found little evidence that in-person classes had a significant impact on the transmission of COVID-19.

Taking this into consideration, Gatchalian said the government can consider allowing 50% capacity or holding face-to-face classes twice a week.

"Puwede naman gumawa ng sistema na siguro two times a week muna para 50 percent muna ang capacity at dahan-dahan pag-aaralan. Dapat tayo mag-experiment pagdating dito dahil hindi natin nagawa ito sa buong kasaysayan kaya dapat muna mag-experiment at gawing dahan-dahan," he said.

"Ang edukasyon malaking impact sa ating bansa. Isang taon lang tayo umurong pero yung impact sa ating bansa ay malaki at kaya dapat itrato natin ang edukasyon na parang frontline services, or essential services dahil napakahalaga nito sa kinabukasan ng ating kabataan at ng bansa dahil sila yung papasok sa workforce natin kaya importante na gumawa tayo ng paraan na masigurado yung kanilang pag-aaral ay maayos at natututo sila," added Gatchalian. — DVM/KG, GMA News