BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Department of Education (DepEd) in Negros Occidental has started preparing for the possible resumption of limited face-to-face classes next year.
In an interview with DYWB Bombo Radyo Bacolod, Ian Arnold Arnaez, DepEd-Negros Occidental spokesperson, said principals of public secondary and elementary schools have been instructed to draw up plans for face-to-face learning.
“There are a lot of things and factors they need to consider, among which are the decisions of local government units,” Arnaez said.
Another factor is the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk level, Arnaez added.
Negros Occidental is currently under the lenient modified general community quarantine status.
Some gatherings like conferences and seminars are now allowed but limited to 50 percent of the venue’s seating capacity.
A careful study of the proposal must be made since the primary participants are minors, Arnaez pointed out that. “We’ll be held liable if they get infected by the virus,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health said they are open to resuming face-to-face classes in the country, but only for areas where there is a low risk for COVID-19 cases.
However, several groups questioned the proposal as to how the students’ safety will be ensured amid the pandemic./PN
