“THE Department of Education (DepEd) should ensure that those who will participate in limited face-to-face classes (F2F) are already vaccinated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).”
This was stressed by Councilor Renecito Novero, chair of the City Council committee on education, after the DepEd announced that the limited F2F classes will start on Monday, December 6.
In Bacolod City, the Alangilan National High School in Barangay Alangilan was among the 177 public schools allowed by the DepEd to hold limited F2F classes.
“We want to ensure that all of our teachers already avail themselves of the vaccines because our children aged 12 to 17 were also permitted to get vaccinated against Covid-19,” Novero said.
He said the City Government earlier inoculated thousands of individuals belonging to the age group in various vaccination centers.
“We want to protect them against Covid-19. This is for their protection and that of their family,” he added.
Aside from DepEd personnel, Novero said barangay officials should be ready to monitor their Covid-19 cases.
“Barangay Alangilan recorded a low number of Covid-19 cases so far,” he said.
Novero noted that before the implementation of the program, the DepEd should have a consultation with barangay officials to determine the real situation of the barangays in terms of Covid-19 cases.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved limited F2F classes in at least 120 public and private schools in areas classified as low risk for Covid-19.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said the pilot limited F2F classes is a shared responsibility of the DepEd and the Department of Health.