Go: Consider other modes of learning

Let me reiterate this: No vaccine, no face-to-face (classes) as much as possible. It is important the children continue their education in a way that do not expose to the disease

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday asked the Department of Education to consider more modes of learning and reiterated the idea of deferring face-to-face classes until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available.

This developed after President Duterte approved DepEd’s recommendation to hold limited face-to-face classes in areas with low risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“Let me reiterate this: No vaccine, no face-to-face (classes) as much as possible. It is important the children continue their education in a way that do not expose to the disease,” Go said.

“We don’t want to pass the burden to the children. We don’t want to pressure the students to attend classes as there is a threat to their health,” he added.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, reminded education officials that Congress passed a law allowing the President to defer the opening of classes beyond August during national emergencies to provide DepEd the flexibility.

“That is why DepEd was given an option to recommend the suspension of the opening of classes to ensure the children can continue their education in a safe manner” he said, noting that health is of prime consideration.

As DepEd mulls over blended learning plans, Go asked education officials to ensure the students are given equal opportunity under the learning continuity plan.

“There are students who have no access to laptops and the Internet. There are students who cannot afford this. How about them? Let us make sure all the students are given the same opportunity under your learning continuity plan,” he reiterated.

Go said some students are mentally and emotionally affected by the adjustments to the new modes of learning.

On Tuesday, he reminded DepEd to address education-related matters one step at a time and assess the COVID-19 situation before deciding on reopening classes.

Go said President Duterte initially prohibited face-to-face classes sans the vaccine against COVID-19.