Pilot face-to-face classes possible soon — Palace
MANILA, Philippines — It may not take long before pilot face-to-face classes are held because of the rising number of individuals who got vaccinated for COVID-19, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said while President Rodrigo Duterte rejected the holding of in-person classes because of the emergence of more transmissible COVID-19 variants, the set-up would "not be the same forever."
He noted that the Philippines has administered close to 12 million vaccine doses while some Metro Manila cities have given the first dose to 70 percent of their population.
"The president said he wanted our people to be vaccinated. As to how many, we are not yet sure," Roque said at a press briefing.
"But with 12 million of our people being vaccinated and with... some cities of Metro Manila hitting 70, even 100 percent of their population being given the first dose, let's say that it won't take long and it may be possible for us to have a pilot. Let's just wait for the vaccines to be administered," he added.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the president decided against the holding of pilot in-person classes because the characteristics of the new COVID-19 variant are "very threatening."
Asked if the president is looking at specific numbers, Briones replied: "It's hard to say I want 50 percent or 90 percent or 80 percent. Those who will be excluded will be at a disadvantage. That's why our proposal is to have a small pilot study so we can see how effective our health protocols are."
"But what's really scary is the new varant is unpredictable and this is being studied thoroughly. I cannot speak for the president but that is his only condition - the safety of children and teachers involved in our educational program," she added.
Duterte previously said he could not place the health of students at risk while the Philippines is still addressing the more transmissible COVID-19 variants.
"I ask for forgiveness from mothers, fathers because the education of children would be delayed. Forgive me because I cannot give permission to bring back the normal set-up in schools because if something happens, it would involve lives," the president said during a public address last June 28.
"But I cannot gamble, I said, with the life of our children. It will be difficult because everyone will be liable," he added.
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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