Shift to online classes amid oil crisis not viable for public schools — Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday emphasized that it would not be feasible to shift to online classes, especially in public schools, amid soaring fuel prices resulting from the Middle East conflict.

Gatchalian, vice chairperson of the Senate committees on basic education and energy, recalled the problems in learning losses that emerged when schools had to implement online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would not encourage online learning for public schools because ang experience natin sa pandemic, ang bata uurong talaga ang kanilang pag-aral dahil wala silang access sa internet, wala silang computers. So, mahirapan sila mag-aaral,” he said in a press conference.

(I would not encourage online learning for public schools because our experience during the pandemic was that children would have learning losses because they don't have access to the internet, they don't have computers. So, they would have a hard time learning.)

“For public schools, hindi ko sinasangayunan na mag-online tayo kasi experience natin sa pandemic, hindi maganda,” he added.

(For public schools, I don't agree with us shifting to online classes because our experience during the pandemic was not good.)

Gatchalian, however, said that such an option may work for students in private schools who have better capacity and technology to attend online classes.

“Ang mga private schools, karamihan ng mga anak nila nagsasasakyan. May sarili silang mga sasakyan. Kaya kung mag-online sila, makakatulong rin yan sa pagbawas ng konsumo ng petrolyo,” he said.

(In private schools, most of the children have cars. They have their own vehicles. So if they shift to online classes, that will help reduce fuel consumption.)

Regardless, Gatchalian emphasized that face-to-face classes remain the best method of learning for basic education.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that starting March 9, 2026, a four-day work week will temporarily be implemented in offices under the executive branch.

Malacañang also released Memorandum Circular 114 which underscored the need to adopt strict energy conservation measures to further reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources. — BAP, GMA Integrated News