Drop lead: Amid resumption of F2F classes

SENATOR Nancy Binay called on the government to ensure that all school staff is fully vaccinated and that schools are fully compliant with safety protocols even before the planned implementation of full face-to-face classes (F2F) in November.

“As a parent, siyempre, before na mag-full face-to-face sa November, gusto rin nating yung mga teacher at support staff ay bakunado at may booster, trained sila for the new normal, yung classrooms are well-ventilated, health and safety protocols are strictly implemented, maayos ang spacing ng mga estudyante, may tubig at sabon sa wash areas at CR. Ibig sabihin, by September, schools must be ready and compliant,” Binay said.

Binay added that the necessary testing protocols must be in place to ensure the safety of teachers and students.

“Dagdag pa siguro, DepEd [Department of Education] must see to it that our teachers and students have the necessary support from the government in terms of testing, na ‘pag may suspected cases or symptoms sa school, free testing, and treatment are extended to them,” Binay added.

Meanwhile, the senator also urged the Department of Health (DOH) to fast-track giving booster shots to learners.

“Yung DOH sana, habang nasa bakasyon ang mga bata, i-fast track na nila ang pagbibigay ng booster shots sa 12-17 [years old] at doon sa mga younger learners in time for the phasing-in in September,” she said.

She also urged local government units (LGUS) to help the DepEd map which schools are already 100% compliant.

“Kailangan ng DepEd na ma-asses ang readiness ng mga private and public schools kung may minimum itong kakayanan to handle a public health situation – na hindi lamang naka-sentro sa Covid – at nakaantabay din ang LGU kung sakaling kailangan ng ayuda,” she added.

Binay said she has confidence in Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio and is looking forward to a much-improved education sector.

“I believe VP Sara has already been fully briefed pagdating sa implementation ng face-to-face classes, and she and the President were given actionable recommendations,” she said.

For his part, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian insisted on increasing the salary of public school teachers, citing that they are facing a “critical” role in our country.

“Kasabay ng mga kailangang pagbabago upang mapahusay natin ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa ay ang pagtaas ng sahod ng ating mga guro upang maitaas natin ang kanilang moral at itaguyod ang dignidad ng kanilang hanay,” Gatchalian said.

In his proposed Teacher Salary Increase Act, the chairperson of the Senate Basic Education, Arts and Culture Committee is seeking to adjust the salary grades of Teachers I, II, and III one grade higher than their current monthly pay.

Gatchalian introduced a resolution to review the implementation of the K to 12 Law, identify issues and challenges, and recommend strategic solutions.

Alongside these are proposals made by Gatchalian aimed at realizing education recovery with the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act which will focus on the essential learning competencies in Language, Mathematics, and Science.

Another education priority bill – the 21st Century School Boards Act – will strengthen local governments’ involvement in improving the delivery and quality of education by broadening the responsibilities of the local school boards and expanding the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF).

While three other education-related measures are among his top 10 bills, Gatchalian is likewise bent on putting in motion the mandatory registration of all subscriber identity module (SIM) cards and a law to provide better protection to consumers and merchants engaged in Internet transactions, as well as pieces of legislation for a more sustainable power sector and a more efficient waste management system.