Solon joins push for gradual shift to F-to-f classes in ‘low-risk’ areas
AS many students are being left behind academically under the blended learning system, a lawmaker has proposed to the Department of Education (Deped) a gradual and properly phased shift to face-toface classes in low-risk areas for the next academic school year and release a detailed assessment of the blended learning system.
Rep. Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list said the Deped “should start exploring possible ways to start face-to-face classes in low-risk areas.
Ong’s proposal came after Senate President Vicente Sotto III endorsed the resumption of classes in areas already cleared of the Covid-19 virus, as declared by their local school boards.
The Senate leader also warned that prolonging the dire situation of public school students, especially, who are kept from attending physical classes even though their areas are Covid-free could deepen the inequality among the youth. These students are struggling with connectivity and gadgets lack, making virtual learning hard for them.
“Yes, in areas with no more problem with Covid,” the Senate leader said in an interview with DWIZ over the weekend, and added, “yes, those places that will be declared by their local school boards as possibly allowing face-to-face.”
According to Ong, many children in the countryside are hardly keeping up with the blended learning system and are completely left behind by their urban counterparts.
“While there is the modular system that is used as an alternative for online learning, I don’t think that they are learning enough. I think that face-toface classes should be allowed in areas where there are no Covid cases with zero possibility of transmission,” Ong said.
“This can be done so by batch, or
While there is the modular system that is used as an alternative for online learning. I don’t think that they are learning enough. I think that faceto-face classes should be allowed in areas where there are no Covid cases with zero possibility of transmission.
Rep. Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list
by schedule per class—like allowing students to come in twice a week. Free swab tests for students and teachers in public schools, like the newly introduced saliva swab test, should also be standard protocol in campuses. These are some of the factors Deped should already be considering, and thus should be preparing for when it comes to the possibilities of doing face-to-face classes again,” Ong said.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero de Vera III also recommended to President Duterte the resumption of face-to-face classes in a limited and gradual manner in certain universities and institutions of higher learning. Since the start of February 2021, CHED, along with Inter-agency Task Force had been doing rounds in university campuses to inspect the readiness of the schools for resumption of face-to-face classes.
“We’re talking about grade school, high school, and college levels here —students who may be conscientious enough to adhere to safety and hygiene protocols for face-to-face classes. As early as now, schools should also begin equipping their facilities with alcohol dispensers, temperature checkers and Qr-coded health declaration forms in preparation for the resumption of face-to-face classes,” Ong said.
Ong also urged Deped to submit to Congress a full and truthful assessment of the implementation of the blended learning system.
As another academic year is set to begin in August this year, Ong said Deped should provide the public, through Congress, with an “Ulat ng Bayan” report.
“It’s been six months of facilitating our children’s education through online and modular learning. Some may have adapted to this new mode of learning, but there are many who remain struggling with online and module classes. By now, Deped and CHED should assess this system, and let the public know if it is effective so far. Are students really learning in this mode of learning? Are teachers coping with new methods? Ask and consult with both parents and teachers on interventions that can be made to improve the quality of learning our students are getting,” he said.
Ong was among the policy-makers who strongly called for the postponement of classes last year, citing that many students and families cannot adapt immediately to the need for educational gadgets needed for online learning.