THE FURTHER reduction of the number of participating schools in the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes of the Department of Education (DepEd) is dismaying – from about 1,000 to 500, to 120, to 59, and finally to just 30 schools. Some say this reveals a “defeatist trend” that may “very well lead to never re-opening schools.”
While it’s unfortunate that the already conservative target of 120 schools upon its approval was further reduced to a mere 30, it is understandable that many are still scared and unprepared to try out physical classes amid the pandemic. After all, nearly two years into this pandemic, people are still waiting for sound responses to the health crisis. The government must build confidence among stakeholders by addressing their valid concerns.
Local government units are also understandably feeling overwhelmed with their duties as they bear the brunt of the pandemic without ample resource support. So the burden is now on the national government, they need to get their act together.
Crucial to inspiring confidence among key actors in education is the installment of strong health protection measures for the implementation of limited face-to-face classes in public schools. Some quarters suggest daily antigen testing of teachers and learners who will participate in in-classroom learning; deployment of nurse or any health personnel in participating schools; the hiring of sanitation personnel; treatment support for those who may get infected with COVID-19 during the course of the pilot run; and hazard pay for participating education workers.
These measures could substantially reduce the anxiety of teachers, parents, students, and LGUs who will partake in voluntary and limited face-to-face classes, and will increase the chances of successfully running the pilot, which will then pave the way for more schools to re-open as soon as possible.
With sufficient funding and support from the national government, each stakeholder can better perform her roles and responsibilities in education continuity, instead of being overburdened with making up for the lapses of the government. This will give the youth better chances of having safe and accessible quality education amid the pandemic, just as other countries have done.
