According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the government has approved for a dry run of restricted face-to-face classes in selected schools nationwide.
During the Palace briefing, Roque made the news.
Officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) previously stated that 120 schools, 100 public and 20 private, in locations with low COVID-19 risk, will take part in the pilot test.
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Participating schools met DepEd and Department of Health preparation standards and would follow strict health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to officials.
The dry run was meant to take place earlier this year, but Duterte halted it because to concerns about more deadly COVID-19 strains.
Duterte rejected the same plan again in February, citing the fact that the Philippines had yet to implement its COVID-19 vaccine program at the time.
As they realized the limitations of distance or remote learning in the Philippines, a country where internet connection remains uneven, many groups and lawmakers have advocated for the reintroduction of in-person classes, beginning in low-risk areas.
To avoid exposing children and educators to COVID-19, Philippine schools have been shuttered since March 2020.
However, education professionals and activists have warned that lengthy closures may result in learning losses, as well as a harmful influence on students’ physical and emotional health, as well as their earning potential.
More than 28 million kids were enrolled in basic education for the School Year 2021-2022 as of Monday. This figure is higher than last year’s total of 26.2 million students and the pre-pandemic figure of 27 million students.
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