The Philippines on Face-to-Face Classes

Dear Readers,

The Philippines on Face-to-Face Classes

Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced that they now allow the schools to return to a face-to-face setup, considering that it is significant to the students' learning. They proposed a budget to aid the expenses for the things needed— the COVID testing of the staff, purchase of supplies and other equipment, and most importantly, the layout and ventilation of the classrooms to ensure the safety of the students and employees. As of the moment, 100 public schools opened, and both agencies are preparing for the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes. 

With all those preparations made, the question is, "are the schools ready for face-to-face classes?" Schools can now resume face-to-face classes as long as their areas are under Alert Levels 1 and 2. The schools capable of holding an in-person class should consider the protocols required by DepEd. They must assure the school's capability to impose health protocols, coordinate with LGUs, and the consent of the students' parents. With all those preparation and requirements, the Philippines is indeed ready for the resumption of face-to-face classes. 

Universities, high schools, and other educational institutions are now doing graduation and other school-ending rites ceremonies face-to-face because of the continued decrease of covid cases. With that in consideration, schools and universities are now thinking of having a full face-to-face set up in the next school year or, at least, a combination of virtual and physical learning. The Department of Education, together with the help of the Secondary School Admissions Test, provides an evaluation of the capability of schools to handle face-to-face classes. 

With all that considered, we think the Philippines should now open schools for face-to-face learning. Socialization, interactions, and camaraderie are part of learning. These things have been lacking due to the implementation of virtual setup. To be able to go to school physically is now possible because of the developed vaccines. If we can hold political rallies with thousands of attendees, we think that schools can handle students in proper accordance with the protocols. This can also help with addressing the uprising educational crisis in the Philippines that exacerbated because of poverty and the pandemic.

Readers, let us hope for a better future for our education. #StoriesOfLiLib

Written and Graphics by Cielo Jenica Interino and Frank Anthony Magdame