Return of face-to-face classes up to Duterte —Briones

President Rodrigo Duterte will be kept abreast of developments on the possible return of face-to-face classes to help him make a final decision on the matter, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

At the Laging Handa briefing Thursday, Briones said she will present at least four conditions for the resumption of the face-to-face classes to Duterte.

“I-update namin ang presidente. Bigyan namin siya ng at least four policy choices, dahil kanyang desisyon ito, na magiging basehan ng kaniyang desisyon sa meeting ng gabinete,” she said.

These conditions include the approval of the concerned local government, consent of parents, availability of proper facilities and the safety in transportation.

Briones pointed out that the current situation is different since Duterte recalled his order to start a pilot test on face-to-face classes in December last year after the emergence of the UK variant of the coronavirus.

“One, nandyan na si NCR. Kailangan tanungin ang NCR. Pangalawa, nakita na natin na medyo nakayananan natin 'yung mga iba't ibang variants,” she said.

“Pangatlo, ito ang pinakamahalaga, ngayon maraming pag-aaral, kasi sabi natin na masama sa bata na pupunta sa eskuwelahan, pero maraming pag-aaral na may mga psychosocial impacts  'yung katagalan ng pag-ano ng bata, ‘yung pananatili sa bahay,” she added.

Briones noted that over 50% of students expressed strong desire to resume the face-to-face classes in schools.

She said that students are the top supporters of the face-to-face classes among other stakeholders, such as parents and teachers.

“Ang pinakamalakas, matindi na supporter ng face-to-face ay mga learners themselves,” Briones said.

“Tinanong namin ang mga bata, ang mga parents at saka teachers. Nakita namin na sa mga batang nag-participate, more than 50% gustong-gusto nila ang face-to-face,” she said, adding that the children are missing their teachers, classmates and the school environment.

Briones said the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund informed the department that the Philippines is now the only country in Southeast Asia that has yet to resume face-to-face classes in schools.—LDF, GMA News