SA nalalapit na pilot implementation ng limitadong face-to-face classes sa mga piling low-risk area sa bansa, ang Department of Education (DepEd) katuwang ang Department of Health (DOH) ay mayroon nang inihandang mga hakbangin upang mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng mga lalahok na mga estudyante, teaching at non-teaching staff, at ang kanilang mga pamilya.
Matatandaang pinahintulutan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong ika-20 ng Setyembre ang pilot implementation ng face-to-face classes sa mga low-risk areas sa bansa.
Kabilang dinto ang 120 mga pampubliko at pribadong mga paaralan sa bansa na ang prayoridad ay ang Key Stage 1 learners o mula sa Kinder hanggang Grade 3.
Ang mga ito ay kinakailangang pumasa sa School Readiness Assessment ng DepEd at ng kanilang pamahalaang lokal. Magtutulungan ang DepEd at DOH upang masigurado ang ligtas na balik-eskwela sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng mga operational guideline sa implementasyon ng limitadong face-to-face classes.
“Our utmost priority is the health and safety of our learners and teachers while ensuring that learning happens and learning gaps are addressed. We have been proactive in planning for safe return to schools. The operational guideline for the pilot run of face-to-face classes is a product of our collaboration with DOH, in consultation with various stakeholders, including child health experts. This will only be applicable for the schools that passed the strict vetting process by DepEd and DOH, and have the support of their respective local government units,” ayon kay Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
Dagdag pa ni Briones na ang pilot implementation ay kombinasyon ng face-to-face classes at distance learning.
May naihanda na umano silang pamantayan upang masukat ang kahandaan ng paaralan sa pagsabak sa face-to-face classes. Ito ay mayroong Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate framework kung saan maipapakita ang importansya ng water, sanitation at hygiene (WASH) na pasilidad, maayos na bentilasyon sa mga silid-aralan at maayos na layout kung saan may sapat na distansya ang mga estudyante mula sa isa’t isa.
“We want to ensure that we provide safe learning spaces for children during this pandemic. The pilot run will be a shared responsibility among DOH, DepEd and local government units to ensure that mechanisms are in place from prevention of COVID-19 infection to reintegration of recovered patients. It is also a shared responsibility among school management, teachers, and families for ensuring that all minimum public health standards are observed and possible COVID-19 cases are detected early through regular symptoms screening and reporting,” ayon naman kay Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
May nakahanda na ring contingency plan ang DepEd kung saan ay naroon ang mga dapat gawin para sa iba’t ibang sitwasyon, mula kung saan may suspected na kaso hanggang sa pagkakaroon o pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa mga barangay. Ito ay magiging batayan kung saan kailangang magpatupad ang paaralan ng lockdown.
“With the help of DOH and other local partners, we will soon orient those who will be involved in the pilot run and coordinate with them regarding the prioritization of their vaccination in case our participating teachers and other non-teaching personnel haven’t completed their vaccines yet,” pahayag ni Briones.
Salungat sa unang naging pahayag ng DepEd, kinakailangan na fully vaccinated ang mga school personnel na lalahok sa pilot implementation ng face-to-face classes, na siyang napagkasunduan ng DOH at DepEd.
Matatandaang naunang sinabi ng DepEd na kahit hindi pa bakunado ay maaaring makilahok sa face-to-face classes basta ito ay walang comorbidities.
“We are committed to providing additional protection for our teachers through vaccination. While vaccination is not mandatory, classroom learning will be limited to vaccinated teaching personnel. So as not to disenfranchise unvaccinated teachers, they may teach using distance or online modules. This also presents options for parents who are still hesitant to send their children to school,” paliwanag ni Duque.
(PHOTO CREDIT: pna.gov.ph)