Two senators sustained their position to reconsider localized and limited face-to-face classes in municipalities without COVID-19 cases following the admission of Department of Education of the difficulties brought about by distant learning scheme.
Senators Imee Marcos and Nancy Binay earlier requested the possibilities of having a limited face to face classes. Sen. Marcos even raised the ironies that gambling establishments have opened but not schools in municipalities without COVID 19 cases. Sen. Binay also questioned why the youths are allowed to travel but not to attend face-to-face classes.
“We are hardly rushing – we are among the last, if not the last, following Nigeria in October, countries in the world to reopen our schools!” said Sen. Marcos.
According to Senate Committee on Education Chairman, Sherwin Gatchalian, the signals are quite confusing because parlors can open up to 75% and cockpit arenas are already operating but the localized face-to-face learning is not.
“We have to view education as an essential. We have to put education in the same plain as, say, medical or food security concerns, because learning is an essential part of our economic development,” he said.
Gatchalian reiterated that he is not pushing for full opening of classes but recommends a localized and limited classes. He also noted that some municipalities are asking for possible workshops on how to address this immediate need.
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