Low-risk areas picked: Panelo assures safe return of face to face classes

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Saturday allayed public fears over the pilot implementation of face-to-face (F2F) classes in areas deemed low risk for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

During his commentary show Counterpoint, Panelo assured parents that the Department of Health (DOH) is ready to make sure that children would remain safe during the conduct of limited F2F in select schools.

“Basta ang pagpapatupad po ng face-to-face classes, magiging ligtas po iyan. At saka doon lang naman gagawin iyan sa talagang walang Covid na lugar o mangilan-ngilan lang. So, safe ito (The implementation of face-to-face classes will be safe. That will be done in areas with no Covid-19 cases or with just a few cases. So, that is safe),” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved limited in-person classes in about 120 public and private schools in low-risk areas.

Panelo said Duterte’s decision was based on the experts’ recommendation.

He also expressed confidence that DepEd would impose stricter health protocols to keep students safe from Covid-19.

“Ipatutupad nila ang pinakamahigpit na (They will implement the most stringent) health standards and they will observe extreme precautions. At hindi naman lahat eh ipapatupad sa lahat ng eskuwelahan (And not all schools will be covered by the [pilot launch of F2F classes]),” Panelo said.

About 100 public schools and 20 private schools are expected to participate in the pilot implementation of F2F classes.

The DepEd has yet to release an official list of participating schools but has shortlisted possible participants that have met the safety and facilities requirements.

Written consent of the parents of learners is also needed for the pilot launch of F2F classes to push through.

Under the DepEd’s guidelines on limited F2F classes, the class size will be reduced to 12 learners for Kindergarten, 16 for Grades 1 to 3, and 20 for technical-vocational students.

Class sessions will only run for a maximum of three hours for Kindergarten to Grade 3, and four hours for Senior High School.

The in-person classes will only be conducted every other week and will be subject to close monitoring for two months and undergo risk assessment. (PNA)

The post Low-risk areas picked: Panelo assures safe return of face to face classes first appeared on .

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