Face-to-face classes possible in rural areas with enough preps but not in NCR —solon

The feasibility of having face-to-face classes in rural and urban areas should separately be assessed, according to Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo on Wednesday. 

In a virtual press briefing, Romulo, chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education and Culture, explained that it would really be difficult to have pilot face-to-face classes in the National Capital Region (NCR) especially since there is no available COVID-19 vaccine yet. 

"Ang sinasabi ko dati pa ay dapat ay hiwalay natin ang NCR, 'yung mga urban cities natin sa mga rural areas natin. 'Pag pinag-usapan natin ang urban areas natin at NCR, sigurado ako hindi pupuwede magkaroon ng pilot face-to-face," Romulo said. 

"Unang-una, talagang karamihan ng ating DepEd schools ay nasa lugar—kapag NCR ang pinag-usapan—nasa mga lugar na highly-populated, 'yung density napakalaki. So kahit anong gawin ng DepEd [Department of Education] na magkaroon ng physical distancing sa loob ng paaralan, alam natin 'yung mga magulang naghahatid ng mga anak sa labas... Medyo mahirap talaga 'yan," he added. 

On the other hand, Romulo believes that pilot face-to-face classes could be conducted in rural areas provided that there are enough preparations by the DepEd, the Department of Health and local government units. 

"Pero dapat ho may preparasyon. Hindi naman puwedeng tingnan lang 'yung data, sabihin na, 'Ay mababa na 'yung COVID diyan, okay na,'... Hindi rin puwedeng ganoon lang. Dapat una, 'yung titingnan nila kung saan ang mababa ang COVID o wala," he said. 

"Pangalawa, kailangan maganda ang ugnayan para masigurado 'yung pagsunod sa minumum health protocols," Romulo added. 

Some senators on Wednesday meanwhile expressed support to the pilot testing of face-to-face classes in select schools even after President Rodrigo Duterte thumbed down its resumption before August.

In a hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the test will help scientists find ways to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Duterte already ruled out the conduct of face-to-face classes until August this year due to the continued threat of the pandemic. 

ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro has urged the national government to study the possibility of having limited and voluntary face-to-face classes as teachers and students have been complaining against the distanced learning scheme.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said face-to-face classes could be considered in areas with low cases of COVID-19 infections by August. —KG, GMA News