President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected fresh calls for the resumption of face-to-face classes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Nagdesisyon na po ang Presidente, wala pa rin po tayong face-to-face classes sa bansa,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online Palace briefing.
Roque said that the President called him on Sunday night and said that he does not want to endanger the lives of people pending the vaccination roll out in the country.
“Tumawag po ang Presidente kagabi sa akin at sabi niya, ayaw po niyang malagay sa panganib ang buhay ng ating mag-aaral at mga guro habang wala pa pong nababakunahan sa bansa,” he added.
Roque also said that the President is eyeing the possibility of limited face-to-face classes in August.
“Sabi niya, may awa naman po ang Panginoon, baka naman po pagkatapos natin malunsad ang ating vaccination program, e pupuwede na tayong mag face to face sa Agosto lalong lalo na sa lugar na mababa ang COVID cases,” Roque said.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones opened up the possibility of reopening classes as the country gears toward a lesser form of quarantine.
Senator Win Gatchalian also made the same proposal citing the children are more protected in schools based on the study by U.S. health experts.
