It is well known to all of us that it has been more than two years since our country was informed that a global epidemic was spreading. Many nations have gone digital, and instead of using money, they now use cards. We must be prepared for this, therefore let us teach our students. While face-to-face learning is critical for their social, mental, and personal development, they must also catch up on digital components. Because of the global epidemic, all gatherings, employment, and pupils ceased to attend school. With the start of this year's class, a lot might change. In the new normal allowed by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines is finally reopening schools for limited face-to-face lessons (F2F). The Departments of Education (DepED) and Health (DOH) issued a joint circular containing instructions based on consultations with child health specialists, learner families, and local government units (LGUs). Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the IATF-EID approved the suggested reopening of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes for all degree courses following the phased and nationwide implementation of the Alert Levels System (ALS) for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Limited F2F classes are now permitted in locations designated as Alert Levels 1, 2, and 3, subject to specified criteria, under the guidelines for the implementation of ALS. Classes will be allowed to restart on the condition that room capacity be limited to 50%, that participants are only fully-vaccinated teaching and non-teaching professionals and students, and that concerned local government entities provide their consent.
According to the instructions, the F2F trial will be conducted in 120 schools, with a concentration on students in Key Stage 1. (Kinder to Grade 3). The schools in question must pass their LGU and DepEd School Readiness Assessments. Schools that pass the DepEd and LGU assessments will be permitted to offer both distant learning and physical lessons. Even if the Philippine President has given us permission to have gatherings, we must nonetheless adhere to the guidelines for our own safety and that of our people.
Until a revised Joint Memorandum for the expansion phase is issued, the key procedures and standards in DepEd-DOH Joint Memorandum Circular 001, s. The year 2021 will continue to be applicable as needed, with the following primary characteristics to consider:
Expansion school has been certified as meeting the School Safety Assessment Tool's requirements (SSAT)
Schools must be placed in places classified as alert levels 1 and 2 by the Department of Health on a regular basis.
Depending on the capability of the school, further grade levels may already be included.
Schools or divisions must have obtained the approval of the City or Municipal Chief Executive in the city or municipality where the expansion school is situated, as well as adequate cooperation with their local barangay leaders.
Students enrolled in face-to-face sessions must have their parents' written permission.
Schools are permitted freedom in terms of contact time for learning and teaching, as long as meals are not consumed in the classroom except during controlled recess.
In face-to-face lessons, only vaccinated teachers are permitted, and vaccinated students are preferred.
Even the UNICEF, the World Bank, the World Food Programmed, and the UN Refugee Agency collaborated to produce Emerging Lessons from Country Experiences in Managing the Process of Reopening Schools. As we move toward a gradual expansion of face-to-face classrooms, we should draw on the experiences of other nations that have already faced the problems of returning to in-person learning. On health and safety, enough resources should be given among reopening public schools to adopt health and safety measures. Measures to limit transmission and decrease physical contact should also be adopted. All reopened schools must have enough alcohol, facemasks, handwash, protective equipment, and supplies for regular cleaning and disinfection. Professors' vital role in continuous education is one of the most significant lessons learned during the epidemic. When schools reopen, teachers will be responsible for ensuring that student can pay for their education in a safe and healthy environment while also making up for lost knowledge and abilities. As a teacher, knowing the facts will safeguard both you and the students. The first step in adopting classroom rules and regulations is to understand COVID-19, how it spreads, and how we can protect ourselves and others. To follow the rules, pupils must first understand the facts. Listen to their concerns and questions, and reply in an age-appropriate manner. Discuss the reactions that children may have and assure them that they are normal.
During a pandemic, instructors must be protected from COVID-19 spreading in the community in order to keep schools functioning safely in face-to-face sessions. After frontline service employees and high-risk populations have been vaccinated, teachers are advised to make becoming inoculated against COVID-19 a priority. COVID-19 immunizations are safe and effective ways for reducing high severe fatality rates from COVID-19, even if they should not be necessary for school resumption and learning. The decision to reopen schools must be based on a risk-based strategy that takes into account the public health impact of COVID-19 transmission at the community level as well as educational systems' ability to adapt in order to continue operating in a safe environment. Both online and face-to-face programs offer benefits and drawbacks that vary each student. Nothing, however, compares to seeing the youngsters go to school and interact with their peers, since this improves their social skills. And kids will undoubtedly miss wearing their school uniforms, receiving their school credentials, and attending meetings.
More schools are scheduled to resume and more pupils are expected to participate as we work toward the gradual expansion of face-to-face education. Hopefully, this will result in the birth of a more robust education system, using emerging lessons from other nations as a roadmap to help the Philippines speed up its learning recovery. Face-to-face sessions are available for children of all ages. They may even work during a pandemic if everyone follows the safety rules prepared jointly by the Department of Education and the Department of Health for the safe restoration of face-to-face classes. To prevent the illness from transmision, everyone must be vaccinated and trained to keep ourselves clean and hygienic.
By Joshua Dave Morfe
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