Weighing on the Conduct of Face-toFace Classes in the Time of Pandemic
Katrin Clarice E. Casquejo
The opening of limited face – to – face classes in some public and private schools by January at San Fernando, Pampanga gives hope that a return to some degree of normalcy is forthcoming. We can attribute this development to the increase in the number of Filipinos getting vaccinated daily and their adherence to the health protocols imposed by our authorities.
However, there are pros and cons that we need to weigh on conducting the face – to – face classes in this time of pandemic. The pros that I can see were: 1. It will be a good practice for students to slowly start the process of students' returning to school and 2. Conducting limited face-to-face classes will allow for school authorities to identify possible problems and create solutions in time for the actual return of students to school.
While the con that I can see was: The continuing discovery of new COVID-19 variants poses threats to everyone particularly on younger, unvaccinated students.
We cannot sacrifice the lives of students no matter how young or old they may be by making them attend school while there are no clear policies in place. Legislators and DepEd administrators must really investigate what is really happening in the lower, more marginalized levels instead of being pressured by what other countries are doing to make schooling normal again.
We need to find ways on how we can continue doing things that were paused because of pandemic especially now that there are lesser cases reported, and the growing number of vaccinated people. Trying the limited face-to-face will make administrators, teachers, and policy makers see what problems may happen and it will be easier for them to come up with solutions to prepare the school for actual classes. There will always be problems and it is better to identify them now than regret not seeing them later. Moreover, just like other diseases, COVID-19 will continue to mutate and have variants therefore, while the government is looking into the possibility of making students return to school, they should also ensure that mitigation efforts in curbing the spread of the virus is strengthened.
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The author is Teacher I at San Isidro Integrated School