Philippine News
Infection control plan per school required for F2F class: DepEd
Poa noted that under DepEd Order 34, schools are required to have an “infection containment” strategy. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)
MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday assured the public that schools are expected to have an infection control plan or strategy for the opening of in-person classes this month, considering the possible surge of cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The DepEd made the statement in a press briefing in response to the Octa Research Group’s pronouncement that there may be a possible case uptick once the in-person classes resume.
“We take the Octa Research seriously as guidance. However, we look also on the study of [the United Nations Children’s Fund]. There’s actually no direct correlation between in-person classes and transmission, as long as the minimum safety standards are observed, most particularly the wearing of face mask. That is important),” Education spokesperson Michael Poa said.
Poa noted that under DepEd Order 34, schools are required to have an “infection containment” strategy.
“‘That’s what we are hoping to see, what we call infection containment plan or strategy that the schools will implement. For instance, what are their plans if someone tests positive in school? Will they contain it? Will they suspend that particular class or the entire school? So that’s something we will require from them and our field offices will be monitoring to ensure that’s in place for each school,” he said.
No discrimination
The DepEd, meanwhile, assured the public it is coordinating with the Department of Health to promote the government’s vaccination campaign, as well as counseling that will be launched per region.
The education department maintained its stance that the vaccination remains voluntary and that no one will be discriminated against, especially since they are pushing for the face-to-face setup, to address the learning loss.
“There will be no discrimination. So this year, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, the teachers, the non-teaching staff, and the learners, all of them can go to school and teachers can conduct classes),” he said.
As of Wednesday, there are over 17.9 million enrolled learners nationwide for the upcoming school year.
The DepEd has also confirmed that the budget for the construction of temporary learning spaces in quake-affected areas has already been downloaded.
Poa said the cost needed to build each temporary walled and roofed learning space is PHP180,000.
He said they are also conducting a mapping of affected areas to identify students who need additional learning materials like books.
Gia Lou
August 11, 2022 at 11:21 AM
As should and be normalize, we cannot regret more information about covid or other viruses and thus we should be focus more on how we protect our selves without limiting the opportunity to go outside. However some will not agree that this is the best solution, but as long as we do practice the best protecting and securing our self then you can think again what is right and relevant for today’s solutions.
Jam Aguirre
August 11, 2022 at 11:32 AM
Hindi natin maaaring ikinalulungkot ang higit pang impormasyon tungkol sa COVID o iba pang mga virus, gaya ng dapat at dapat na gawing normal, at sa gayon ay dapat tayong higit na tumutok sa kung paano natin pinoprotektahan ang ating sarili nang hindi nililimitahan ang ating kakayahang lumabas. Gayunpaman, ang ilan ay hindi sasang-ayon na ito ang pinakamahusay na solusyon, ngunit hangga’t ginagawa namin ang aming makakaya upang protektahan at i-secure ang aming sarili, pagkatapos ay maaari mong isipin muli kung ano ang tama at may-katuturan para sa mga solusyon ngayon.
Catherine Cristobal
August 11, 2022 at 2:14 PM
Sa Pagbabalik Eskuwela ng ating mga Mag Aaral,Napakahalaga ANg Pagkakaroon ng DISIPLINA Na Sundin at Gawin ANg mga Healthy Safe Protocols na ipinatutupad NG ating Gobyerno Upang Maiwasan ang Paglaganap at Pagdami ng bilang ng Covid cases sa Ating Bansa.Mahalagang Maituro At Maipaliwanag Sa karamihan na Hindi pA nakakapagbakuna ang Kahalagahan at Kaligtasan ng pagiging Bakunado Laban sa Covid 19 Upang maiwasan ang mas malalang epekto ng virus na ito Kung ikaw Ay tatamaan at ng sa Gayon Ay MAGKAROON silA ng impormasyon ukol dito at makahikayat na Magpabakuna Upang malagpasan nating mga Pilipino ANg banta na dulot ng Covid 19 sa ating Bansa. Keep safe and Godbless Us All😇🙏🙏
Veria Balatbat
August 11, 2022 at 8:33 PM
It is crucial that our children have the self-control to adhere to and carry out the healthy safety protocols put in place by our government when they return to school in order to stop the spread and rise in the number of COVID cases in our nation. For the most part, instruction and explanation are crucial. The Importance and Safety of Receiving a COVID-19 Vaccination has not yet had a vaccination. If you contract this virus, others will notify you of its worst effects and urge you to get immunized so that Filipinos can defeat the threat posed by COVID-19 in our nation.