Some senators favor pilot testing of face-to-face classes sans vaccine rollout

Some senators on Wednesday 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.

"Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na kinancel 'yung ating face-to-face, titigil na rin tayo sa pilot schools. This is a good way for our society to study what can be done to mitigate the effects of COVID," he said.

"I like to support and echo Senator Kiko's (Francis Pangilinan) proposal to continue the pilot school program," he added.

Senator Nancy Binay suggested conducting the pilot test in areas without or with low number of COVID-19 cases to prove that face-to-face classes could work amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Bakit hindi? For example, sa Batanes, wala na yatang kaso ngayon doon o sa Siquijor. Baka puwede doon muna sa dalawang lugar muna tayo mag-pilot para lang makita na it is possible, it is doable," she said.

Gatchalian, who chairs the committee, said at least 433 municipalities in the country have no cases of COVID-19.

Senator Imee Marcos, for her part, reiterated her support for the resumption of face-to-face class, pointing out that it should have been prioritized than the opening of some non-essential businesses.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said Duterte has ruled out face-to-face classes until August pending the official rollout of the country's COVID-19 vaccination program. —KBK, GMA News