THE PROPOSED RETURN TO FACE-TO-FACE

CLASSES STARTING NEXT YEAR. IS EVERYBODY

READY FOR IT?

Bonilla, Mary Nicolette P.

Cabantug, Nicholas John H.
Cabiltes, Resalyn S.
Canomay, Cherrymia B.
Cuyno, Ashlly Nicole Y.
 One of the challenges in society today is the COVID-19 pandemic. This dreadful
disease suddenly came up, which has greatly affected people’s lives, not just their lives
but as well as their economy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, education is one of the
most affected elements of the Philippines’ economic development. According to the
United Nations, more than 91 percent of students worldwide have been impacted by
temporary school closures and have an online class instead. Embracing and adjusting
this fact is, without a doubt, a demanding and challenging situation for the students. Thus,
the proposed return to face-to-face classes starting next year would be a great proposal.
However, high vaccination rates against the virus among students, instructors, and staff
will also be crucial in allowing face-to-face classes to be conducted (Cruz, 2021). With
the proper supervision and leadership from the government, face-to-face classes will help
the development of our nation's prosperity. Students obtain a higher-quality education
when they interact with other students and professors in person. Although students have
been given an alternative to function normally by allowing them to learn through online or
modular learning, it is not the same as actually attending school, which is more flexible
learning. Students will be able to focus more intently on their studies since there will be
fewer distractions than at home. This is why instructors and students both have been
asking for a return to face-to-face classes since they may feel more secure and capable
of learning in a familiar, typical classroom environment.
The Philippine Department of Education has developed guidelines for
implementing online and modular distance learning. This is to ensure that students do not
get the illness. In January 2021, the president approved a pilot deployment of restricted
face-to-face delivery in low-risk COVID-19 transmission zones, but this was later revoked
due to the new COVID-19 strain's threat (Sarmiento, 2021). Despite being one of the
world's longest and most severe curfews, there are still doubts about whether the country
is ready to open its schools to youngsters for face-to-face instruction. WHO
Representative in the Philippines recognized the Philippine government for allowing a
pilot program of limited in-person schooling in low-risk areas and assured the government
that the pilot program would be continued indefinitely. According to Abeyasinghe, a risk-
based strategy that analyzes the epidemiology of Covid-19 transmission at the local level,
as well as the capacity of educational systems to change in order to operate safely
(Montemayor, 2021).
Ultimately, in conducting face-to-face classes, school health measures must be
carefully prepared in accordance with national and international criteria to ensure that
children are protected from COVID-19 or at the very least limit its effects. Local
consultation among DepEd/ CHED, relevant LGU units, and the parents is the most
effective way to achieve shared responsibility. During these consultations, all parties'
respective roles, responsibilities, and commitments will be discussed and decided upon.
Documentation in various forms, such as meeting minutes, resolutions, and the like, can
serve as evidence of the agreement on shared responsibility. The references provided
presented the implementation of face-to-face testing in those places that belong to a low
risk of Covid 19. Admittedly, education has a significant effect on the students' life, aside
that it is a bridge to enhance their lives in the future. To guarantee its fulfillment, the
government's responsibility is to help and achieve students’ rights to keep them safe and
to get away from the disease. Thus, the government agencies shoulder the authority for
the safety of students by putting students in a better place where they belong despite the
current situation.
 References

Cruz, K. (2021, October 23). Schools to decide on face-to-face classes. Retrieved

January 7, 2022, from
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/23/news/national/schools-to-decide-on-
face-to-face-classes/1819430
Grahl, A. R. (2020) Facing the challenges of COVID-19, Rotary clubs and partner
organizations are finding new ways to support access to education. Retrieve
January 7, 2022, from https://www.rotary.org/en/educating-in-a-pandemic-and-
beyond?gclid=Cj0KCQiAw9qOBhC-ARIsAG-
rdn4XAeVM81km2TkanslaQ5SD5wNX2faTlfsMR4zuxWgnYIqfwKc9yEYaAhRgE
ALw_wcB
Sarmiento, P. J. D., Sarmiento, C. L. T., & Tolentino, R. L. B. (2021). Face-to-face classes
during COVID-19: A call for deliberate and well-planned school health protocols in
the Philippine context. Journal of Public Health, 43(2). Retrieved January 8, 2022,
from https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab006