Duterte greenlights limited face-to-face class proposal

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the proposal of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones to allow limited face-to-face learning sessions in areas with low-risk of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“I’m with you on this. Let’s try to make ourselves productive even how constricted the times are. Okay ako sa ano,” Duterte told Briones.

During a televised meeting Monday evening, Briones presented the advantages and disadvantages of limited in-person classes in low-risk areas amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Both the learners or students and our teachers are familiar with face-to-face learning so they will not have difficulty adjusting. Administrative cost will also be lower and also the limited face-to-face classes close inequality gaps kasi kung we rely, for example, heavily on online learning, then you will have equity problems for those who may not have access to digital equipment,” the DepEd chief explained.

“Some of the disadvantages are of course the health risks that’s why we want to limit very strictly the implementation of face-to-face and also the administrative costs because maintaining the health standards and so on and also of our own buildings will also be costly for us,” she also said.

Briones noted that the limited face-to-face learning will not be for the entire five days of the school week.

It could be held for up to two days, the secretary said, adding that the sessions “could be limited to the most important things that a child should learn.”

The DepEd had announced that classes for the next school year would begin on August 24, through a blended type of teaching.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)