DepEd guidelines against COVID-19

Robin V. Ocampo

THE Department of Education (DepEd), as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, released guidelines as preventive measures against the disease, taking cue from Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Of course, the first thing the DepEd teaches is compliance with laws and regulations, so all measures have been considered. It has compiled all issuances from the WHO, the Department of Health, and the Office of the President as guide for teachers and learners.

Among the very first issuances of the Department was DepEd Memorandum 15, s. 2020, stating the first set of policy directives of Task Force nCoV, which includes postponing all national and regional activities involving learners and/ or teachers.

The Department had evaluated the suspensions of all activities during that time to assess the reaffirmation or revocation of the suspension, depending on the development of the situation and upon the advice of DOH.

In addition, DepEd also discouraged all division and district activities that involve the gathering/ congregation of various schools, and advised the organizers to seek the recommendation of local health authorities should the activities push through.

Of course, the DepEd memorandum also delineated travel limitations and restrictions of all DepEd personnel and learners.

Educators are also encouraged to tackle the nature of the 2019-nCoV ARD, ways of transmission, signs and symptoms, and precautionary measures such as regular handwashing, maintaining healthy lifestyles, ensuring food safety and consulting a physician when symptoms attributable to respiratory infection.

The Department also enjoined all offices and schools to use and share only verified and up-to-date information from reliable and official sources such as the WHO and the DOH.

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The author is Teacher III at Porac National High School