COVID-19: Lawmaker Wants To Postpone Classes Until Vaccine Is Available

Lawmaker Calls On Government To Postpone Reopening Of Classes Until COVID-19 Vaccine is Available

COVID-19 – A lawmaker calls on the government to postpone the reopening of classes until a coronavirus vaccine is made available.

The 2019 novel coronavirus has unarguably affected our lives. It changed how we work, shop, or play. Health officials also advise us to avoid crowds as much as possible.

Until now, several airports and terminal were closed due to the deadly virus. The government has suspended classes and government work.

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte implemented drastic measures just to curb the spread of the coronavirus. He has ordered a stoppage of public transportation, work, and classes amid crisis. All of the Filipinos now are learning how to adapt tot he “new normal.”

In a previous article, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that classes will start on August 24. The agency also said the private schools can start their classes as early as June.

On Thursday, May 21, Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. calls on the government to postpone classes in public, private schools, including vocational education until the coronavirus vaccine is made available. He filed House Resolution No. 876 which urged the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and education agencies to “halt the physical opening of classes and prohibit face-to-face classes.”

The agencies he mentioned include the Commission on Higher Education, DepEd, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

In his statement, the lawmaker said the education agencies’ alternative learning delivery platforms “would not be possible in the provinces where telecommunications signals are weak.”

“With the growing COVID-19 threat… it is imperative that we take all precautions and preventive actions to protect our people from the disease,” Gonzales said.

Read his full statement below: