Parents Won’t Be Forced To Consent To In-Person Classes

Parents will not be forced to send their children back to school as the pilot resumption of in-person classes in selected schools start next month, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

The DepEd said parents must provide a written consent allowing their children to take part in face-to-face classes, which would be on a voluntary basis.

“No parent will be forced to send their children in this modality since schools would still hold distance learning classes,” the department stressed.

The DepEd noted it understands the parents’ concerns but assured them that stringent preparations and protocols are in place to provide protection for learners.

As of latest count, a total of 90 schools will participate in the pilot resumption of in-person classes starting on Nov. 15.

Around 93.2% of teachers and personnel of the participating schools are fully vaccinated. The National Task Force Against COVID-19 will prioritize the vaccination of teachers.

“Anchored on our shared responsibility framework, the guidelines of DepEd and the Department of Health provide specific operational rules and contingencies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in schools. These policies have been consulted with and endorsed by child health expert organizations,” the DepEd said.

A total of 110 public schools have been approved to participate in the pilot run of the resumption of face-to-face classes.

At least 20 private schools are also being considered to begin the pilot run on Nov. 22.

PNP ready

The Philippine National Police will help secure the pilot run of face-to-face classes in selected schools next month, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Tuesday.

Eleazar ordered police commanders to coordinate with local offices of the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education on how the police could help in ensuring the safety of the students.

The PNP is ready to assist in ensuring that the gradual reopening of schools would be safe for the teachers and students.

The national government suspended face-to-face classes last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the DepEd to speed up its hiring process to fill over 30,000 teaching positions.

Gatchalian said the DepEd is seeking an additional P2.58 billion for 2022 to hire 10,000 teachers, but more than 30,000 teaching positions remain vacant as of last September.

“The teaching positions left unfilled could equate to P13 billion in funds that are not being disbursed,” he said. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe