After Day 1 of pilot face-to-face classes, Win bats for regular testing of teachers

After witnessing Monday’s start of the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes, Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for regular Covid-19 testing for teachers to minimize risks.

“Dapat pag-isipan din natin ang regular na Covid-19 testing ng mga teachers. Pati ‘yung vaccination nila ay dapat nating i-monitor nang mabuti,” the chair of the Senate basic education committee said.

“To minimize risks, we need to test. Kaya dapat mapondohan ang testing ng mga teachers at kung may nag-positive man, merong nakahandang suporta para sa kanila,” said Gatchalian during his visit to schools that were participating in the dry run of in-person learning.

He noted that two schools in Zambales postponed the opening of in-person classes because seven teachers from both schools tested positive for the coronavirus disease after taking rapid antigen tests.

Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to work with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in creating a special lane at the very least for teachers.

He said this would ease the burden on teachers falling ill with Covid-19 since they have to spend out of pocket first before receiving reimbursements from the state insurer.

“What we need is support. Kailangang maipaabot natin ‘yung suporta sa mga paaralan sa pamamagitan ng pondo upang makabili pa sila ng mga kagamitan at tuloy-tuloy ang paglilinis ng paligid. Importante sa health protocols ang pagliinis, pagbili ng mga sabon, at paggawa ng iba pang mga pasilidad,” Gatchalian added.

The dry run of face-to-face classes in 20 private schools is set to start on November 22.

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