MANILA – Amid threats of a new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variant in the United Kingdom, President Rodrigo Duterte has recalled his order on face-to-face classes.
In an address to the public on Saturday evening, President Duterte said he recalled the order to have physical classes in low-risk areas as he does not want to take the risk of endangering children.
“I’m calling back the order and I will not allow face-to-face classes for children until we are through with this,” said Duterte. “We have to know the nature of the germ that we are confronting.”
The country’s chief executive came up with the move after a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the United Kingdom.
On Dec. 14, Duterte approved the voluntary trial of face-to-face classes starting Jan. 11 to 23 next year for schools in areas identified as low risk for COVID-19.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, meanwhile, said her office will abide by the chief executive’s order.
“We will implement the President’s instructions to recall limited face-to-face classes in the light of recent development,” Briones said in a text message.
Remote classes started on Oct. 5, several weeks later than the initially planned Aug. 24 opening, to give teachers and students more time to prepare for online and modular distance learning.
Lessons this school year resumed under blended learning which involves a mix of internet-based sessions, radio and TV broadcasts, and printed self-learning modules. Classes in other levels are also mostly held online./PN
