All schools should hold limited in-person classes amid improving COVID-19 situation - Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian suggested on Friday that all schools should hold limited face-to-face classes, saying that this would benefit the country's economy, which is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate basic education committee, said this would contribute to increased economic activity, especially if more parents were able to return to work.

Forty-eight areas, including the National Capital Region, were earlier placed by the government under Alert Level 1

"Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagbuti ng ating sitwasyon, hindi na rin natin dapat patagalin pa ang pagbubukas ng lahat ng mga paaralan. Para sa mga magulang na halos dalawang taong tinutukan ang kanilang mga anak sa distance learning, pagkakataon na ito upang makapag-hanapbuhay muli,” Gatchalian, who is seeking reelection, said in a statement.

(In light of the improving COVID-19 situation, we should not delay the reopening of our schools. This is an opportunity for parents to re-enter the workforce after two years of guiding their children's distance learning.)

He also cited World Bank estimates that learning poverty—the share of 10-year-old children who cannot read or understand a simple story—is at 90% in the Philippines, a figure that will likely worsen because of school closures due to the pandemic. 

According to Gatchalian, a total of 6,122 schools started limited face-to-face classes as of March 10, based on Department of Education data. — VBL, GMA News