Face to face classes to open anytime soon

Some city elementary and secondary schools are prepared for the opening of face-to-face classes anytime next week. Even colleges and higher education institutions (HEIs) are set to open for non-medical classes after inspection and strict adherence to guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

With the city at alert level 2 and restrictions easing up, students await the face-to-face set-up even with vaccination and minimum public health standards (MPHS) and protocols.

In a speech, Mayor Benjamin Magalong rued the huge financial and other losses due to the absence of face-to-face classes. 

Sources present huge financial losses as students and parents use the internet and modules for classes; as with less learning, lower future income productivity and competitiveness.

In a 2018 educational analysis by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Singapore scored 556, a 37% difference; and the US with 495, a 29% difference from the Philippine’s score of 350.

In a World Bank report, the results of long lockdowns show that 12 years of schooling are more or less equivalent to 8 years of learning. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) quotes that 10% of permanent wages is lost every year due to school lockdowns.

Pandemic and school closure exacerbate an already unequal and lower quality of education, the report also presents. 

In a National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) survey, it shows that in 60% of families, a parent skips work to help a child with modules or online learning. Due to absence at work, twenty-five percent (25%) of income is lost.

Due to lost income, there is inability to provide a gadget for distance learning. Studies show that there are forgotten future wages and productivity over school closures; for teachers and personnel.

For US students, online learning is 52% effective and modules 37% effective; both compared to face to face education. 

In Baguio, HEIs have to comply strictly with MPHS, retrofit their schools for air exchange in the academic setting; consult with the LGU and adhere to guidelines set by the CHED. Extracurricular activities are subject to the approval of both CHED and the LGU. Records have to be set before final approval for face-to-face academics. – Julie G. Fianza