PASAY CITY --  Senator Win Gatchalian is seeking a more aggressive expansion of limited face-to-face classes to jumpstart the recovery of the basic education sector from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Education (DepEd) plans to proceed with the expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes by January 2022.

In a Senate panel hearing, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture pointed out that the 268 schools participating in pilot face-to-face classes as of December 15 is only 0.44% of 60,677 schools nationwide. The Department of Education (DepEd) has since updated the number of participating schools to 287.

The lawmaker also raised that the 23,104 basic learners participating in limited face-to-face classes is equivalent to 0.08% of 27.4 million learners in basic education for School Year 2021-2022. For Gatchalian, the DepEd should target hitting a percentage of schools and learners participating in face-to-face classes.

“If the direction of the next phase is to expand, maybe we can hit 10% of the number of schools or 10% of the number of students and then gradually open. Because right now, we’re barely hitting the surface, malayong malayo pa tayo,” said Gatchalian

“Among the biggest challenges are the issues of inequality in terms of literacy and access to gadgets because those students who have access to gadgets are learning more than those who don't. So, the longer we put off school, the longer the inequality will grow,” he added. 

After four weeks of limited face-to-face classes, there were zero COVID-19 infections recorded among participating learners and teachers, according to DepEd. For Gatchalian, this shows that the safe and gradual resumption of face-to-face classes is possible as long public health protocols are strictly observed. 

Gatchalian reiterated that the government should avoid a two-year lack of face-to-face classes, noting that the prolonged absence of in-person learning would have an adverse impact on the economy. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) estimates that the yearlong lack of face-to-face classes would result in P11 trillion in productivity losses over the next 40 years. 

Gatchalian also proposed that after one or two more months of building confidence, the DepEd can consider a self-assessment mechanism where public and private schools that comply with minimum requirements can already conduct face-to-face classes. The lawmaker pointed out that this would quickly expand face-to-face classes while sparing local government units from the burden of approving every school’s participation in in-person classes. (OSWG)