F2F classes to boost business, employment
AS schools are set to open with in-person or “face-to-face” (F2F) classes this August 22, Senator Pia Cayetano cited schools are “economic hubs” essential for economic growth and employment, as she lauded the Department of Education (DepEd) for doing their job in encouraging students and parents to go back to the regular F2F classes.
Cayetano added that F2F classes are good for children’s mental well-being as they can increase social interaction and develop social skills.
At the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Cayetano expressed her excitement at the opening of face-to-face classes this coming August 22.
Cayetano has pushed for opening F2F classes months after the country went into the pandemic.
“Our children have suffered greatly because of the closure. There are no ways to really make up for the loss of time. To a certain extent, it was beyond their control. But to another extent, I regret that we did not move fast enough to really give them the opportunity to go back to school,” the lady senator said.
Cayetano added that Filipino children’s mental well-being is raised just by seeing their friends again, and their learning is also heightened as they are able to understand their teachers more because of the face-to-face setting adding that social interaction is essential for normal mental development.
“The face-to-face setting cannot be compared with the online environment that sadly has been the reality for almost two years,” she said.
Cayetano cited that P1.9 trillion in losses are incurred each year because of the closure of schools, as reported by previous socioeconomic planning Secretary Karl Chua.
“I’ll repeat, P1.9 trillion, because the schools are actually economic hubs, so when the schools were closed, all the outlets, carinderia, carts that sell whatever snacks the kids eat, the small suppliers, school supplies, ballpen, notebook, paper, and all up the supply chain were all affected,” she said, stressing that the opening of schools is good for the economy.
She also informed the committee that the Senate put in P2.6 billion to cover the expenses of the implementation of F2F and an additional P100 million for public school health facilities, which include handwashing and bathroom facilities, which are sorely lacking in many schools.
