Vax not required in face to face classes

MANILA, Philippines — Vaccination will not be required for learners as the Department of Education (DepEd) moves forward with the progressive expansion of face-to-face classes in the country.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that children are encouraged to be vaccinated, but that decision rests on their parents.

“Are we requiring children to have vaccinations before they participate (in face-to-face classes)? Not necessarily. It’s not required. It is voluntary because the parents will make that decision. But of course, we would encourage (it),” she said in a Laging Handa press briefing.

Briones said that the Department of Health (DOH) has already noted that kids have a higher resistance against COVID-19.

She added that as an added protection, all DepEd personnel who will participate in F2F classes are required to be vaccinated.
Latest data DepEd data showed that a total of 4,239 public schools nationwide have resumed in-person classes almost two years after the COVID-19 outbreak closed down school grounds.

There are also 76 private schools that have voluntarily resumed in-person classes in the country.

No politics for teachers

Meanwhile, Briones warned canddates against using teachers in their respective campaigns, stressing that DepEd teachers and non-teaching personnel do not engage in partisan politics.

“There are organizations already declaring that they are supported by teachers; we’ve warned them,” she said.

For the record, the DepEd already issued two memorandum circulars reminding teachers to follow guidelines and not to engage in electioneering and partisan politics.