MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos is calling for the reopening of schools.
The senator expressed her dismay that cockfighting activities have already been allowed to resume but students are still prohibited from returning to school.
She also said it is better for local offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) and school boards to have the authority to decide on the reopening of schools.
“Talagang nadismaya ako na mas mahalaga pa pala ang sabong sa Pilipino kaysa sa edukasyon. Linggong nakalipas, binuksan na ang sabungan, pero ang eskwela, sarado pa rin, (I was really dismayed that cockfighting is more important to Filipinos than education. Weeks have passed and cockfighting arenas were reopened but schools remain closed),” she said.
“Hindi naman yata tama. Bigyan naman natin ng kahalagahan ang ating edukasyon. Alam naman natin na hindi super spreader ang mga eskwelahan (That is not right. We should give importance to our education, we know schools are not super spreaders),” she added.
For Senate Committee on Basic Education chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the COVID-19 situation in the country is gradually improving and it is high time to review having localized, limited face-to-face classes, especially in areas with zero COVID-19 cases.
Gatchalian reported, there are around 500 municipalities in the country with no COVID-19 cases.
“I have consulted with our mayors in the BARMM area. They are quite worried because the feedback they are getting is a lot of their parents didn’t
even finish elementary or high school. So, they don’t have that confidence of teaching their children at home,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DepEd said they are still finalizing their recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the reopening of schools. The department also reiterated that the decision on whether schools will be reopened is up to the President.
DepEd Usec. Nepomuceno Malaluan said reopening schools would still pose challenges. There is a need for coordination between schools, the local government, and parents in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“It’s very important that there is an understanding of a shared responsibility when we get to reintroduce the face-to-face that there is a strong agreement and unity with the local government that this is something that we need to do. The parents should also be aware of the risks involved,” he said. AAC (with reports from Harlene Delgado)
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