IATF to decide whether to enable the holding of limited face-to-face classes in some areas in Cebu.

BANTUGAN| (IATF) to determine whether to enable the holding of limited face-to-face classes in some areas in Cebu Province. The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) in Central Visayas passed Resolution No. 50 which endorses the request of Department of Education - Region 7 to the national IATF for their decision. DepEd 7 director Dr. Salustiano Jimenez said he favors the resumption of face-to-face classes provided only a few students would be enrolled in the public schools. The said proposal can be achieved by implementing a two-day class week in public schools and allowing only half of their student population to attend per class. Two days will be spent for physical classes while the rest of the week will be dedicated for blended learning, such as using modules, online and radio-based teaching. Parents and teachers in Cebu Province petitioned before the Provincial Government to allow face-to-face classes as some students have encountered problems in the DepEd’s modular distance learning method, the situation made the DepEd-7 to request for face-to-face classes. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia supported the call of League of Municipalities in the Philippines Cebu chapter for the resumption of face-to-face classes after hearing some complaints from the parents due to the circumstances faced in modular distance learning. The office is ready to release funds to the public schools under her jurisdiction to make sure that all students can return to classes amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, Department of Health (DOH) 7 spokesperson, said they respect the decision of DepEd 7 as they have given the guidelines on this proposition on the minimum health standards. “The limitation in terms of number of students per classroom, physical distancing and wearing of face masks and ensuring the availability of water and soap or hand sanitizers in the school, better still if available per classroom. This will also help the students to learn responsibility in following the health protocols and hopefully bring home with them the knowledge on the safety measures,” Loreche said in a text message to SunStar Cebu. Source: SUNSTAR CEBU Layout & ✒️: William Jefferson P. Granzon