Duque backs in-person classes resumption in low-risk areas
MANILA, Philippines — The country's health chief on Tuesday said he is for resuming in-person learning for students in areas with low coronavirus transmission, as the national debate on the issue of face-to-face classes with the pandemic still ongoing continues.
Secretary Franciso Duque III's remarks significantly differed with that of other members of President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet, who have cautioned against making a rushed decision on the matter.
"My position on the matter is if the area is COVID-free or two to four weeks with zero cases, maybe it could be allowed there," he told CNN Philippines in mixed English and Filipino.
Education officials told senators at a hearing in the chamber last week that they will come up with recommendations for the president to allow limited physical learning in some areas.
Duque in the same interview added that minimum health standards should "on top of mind" in making the call.
"So long as there's low or minimal risk, I think that should be considered in the decision on whether face-to-face classes will be allowed," he said.
DepEd figures showed that over 25 million students are enrolled under the distance learning setup that was opened in October despite calls from groups to postpone citing teachers and students' difficulties in gadget availability, internet connection and errors in learning resources.
Last week, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said allowing students to return to school when more than a thousand infections are still being reported per day could spell trouble.
"You’re quick to recommend it, but it would turn out you don’t have a responsibility for that,” he said in a radio interview. “Should there be a spike, would you be the one treating (those infected)? Would you be the one shouldering the costs? Second, who will be held accountable?”
The president had long shunned the possibility of holding face-to-face learning while a vaccine for COVID-19 has yet to arrive.
The issue, however, returned to the headlines when Malacañang questioned the community learning hubs of Vice President Leni Robredo, which aims to help students without internet access.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the project by the Robredo, whose relationship with the administration had been far from normal, was not approved by the department.
But exchanges between her and Robredo showed that the education chief even called the effort as a "good initiative" as shown in letters released by Robredo's office.
By December 1, the health department has reported nearly 433,000 coronavirus infections, 8,418 dead and recoveries climbing to 398,782. — with reports from Neil Jayson Servallos, Janvic Mateo/The STAR
Follow this thread for updates on when classes will resume, and how those classes will be conducted.
Photo: Students wearing protective face masks have their temperatures taken while entering their college campus in Manila on January 31, 2020. AFP/Ted Aljibe
DepEd says School Year 2022-2023 "shall open on Monday, August 22, 2022, and shall end on July 7, 2023. It shall consist of 203 school days or as may be determined by further issuance/s in case of changes in the school calendar due to unforeseen circumstances."
Sen. Nancy Binay calls on the Commission on Higher Education and the inter-agency task force on COVID-19 not to "burden" students over requirements for face-to-face classes.
Higher educations students are being required to present medical insurance and other documents before participating in face-to-face classes.
“This is a cumbersome and unnecessary requirement para sa college students, considering that by law, all Filipinos are automatic members of PhilHealth. Sa totoo lang, 'di kailangang dagdagan ang proseso, dapat nga mas simplehan pa,” Binay says.
The Department of Education announces that it will increase the number of participating schools in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.
"The expansion of the number of pilot schools will allow a greater degree of experience among all our regions that will serve us well for the expanded phase of face-to-face classes," DepEd says.
With the approval of the Office of the President, the Department of Education is announcing that it will increase the number of participating schools in the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes.
— DepEd (@DepEd_PH) November 11, 2021
Read: https://t.co/cCqC91kZPw pic.twitter.com/Us3GvFxp1F
COVID-19 immunization has started for tertiary students in Ilocos Norte as part of the massive vaccination campaign of the Commission on Higher Education.
This in preparation for the reopening of in-person tertiary classes, CHED-Regional Office 1 said as a ceremonial vaccination of students at Mariano Marcos State University was held on Monday in collaboration with the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, the provincial government and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.
About 800 students are expected to be inoculated through the CHED immunization drive.
Prior to this, MMSU had already vaccinated 75% of its student population. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao
President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized limited face-to-face classes for the following programs:
- Engineering and Technology programs
- Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Tourism/ Travel Management
- Marine Engineering
- Marine Transportation
Commission on Higher Education Chairman Popoy De Vera, who made the announcement, said the authorization applies to "degree programs that require hands-on experience in higher education institutions under Modified General Community Quarantine."
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