Schools need doctors and nurses, not cops

NOT A FEW raised their eyebrows upon learning of the plan of the Philippine National Police to deploy its forces in the vicinity of colleges and universities to supposedly secure stakeholders as more schools resume face-to-face classes next month. Thank you very much but schools are capable of reopening without the presence of police forces. Our schools need nurses and doctors, not cops, not only ensure the implementation of health protocols but more so to provide medical support and assistance to students and teachers in need.

The PNP’s plan is a classic example of applying military solution to the pandemic over medical solutions. What schools need are more medical personnel and adequate facilities to provide isolation areas, hand washing facilities and classrooms with adequate ventilation. Cops do not help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. They may even be carriers of the virus and bring it in schools, thereby adding burden to the already daunting task of safely reopening schools.

The Department of Education already reiterated its policy against the presence of armed persons in schools after an incident in Pangasinan – armed policemen were photographed distributing modules inside the classroom. In the view of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, the presence of police forces in schools to supposedly secure stakeholders is even “more of a threat than anything else”.

DepEd’s position should already be enough to make the PNP reconsider its planned school deployments. If their concern is ensuring minimum health protocols are followed, teachers and non-teaching personnel can be health marshals inside the schools. The school can even seek help from the community or the parents if they need additional personnel or volunteers for ensuring health protocols are followed.

Now more than ever, we are faced with an enormous challenge of creating an enabling environment in schools for learning. Support our schools, our teachers and their students by providing regular testing and free treatment in case of a positive case and ensuring that their rights and welfare are respected as we start the face-to-face classes. Police presence in schools is not necessary.