Senator Sherwin Gatchalian opposed the nationwide academic break promoted by some Filipinos because of the alleged difficulties experienced by many students and teachers in distance learning amid the pandemic.
According to Gatchalian, schools in both basic and higher education should decide whether or not to implement academic breaks.
“Hindi ako sang-ayon sa pagkakaroon ng nationwide academic break. Iba-iba naman ang quarantine qualification at may mga lugar na walang lockdown,” he said.
He added that students from poor families will be severely affected if their education is delayed again.
Gatchalian also warned that the effects of prolonged school closures such as knowledge shrinkage, inequality, and increased risk of violence among young people.
“Mahirap naman pong mag-academic freeze sa isang lugar na walang kaso ng COVID-19. Kaya hindi pwede itong academic freeze para sa pangkalahatan dahil iba-iba ang sitwasyon,” he said.
“Sa basic education, isang taon nang hindi nagpupunta sa mga eskwelahan ang mga bata at kapag sila ay patuloy na bibigyan ng break at hindi sila mag-aaral, talagang makakalimutan na nila ang kanilang pinag-aralan,” he added.
The Department of Education (DepEd) first suspended the distribution of self-learning modules and face-to-face activities in Isabela, which is currently under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), following the deaths of five DepEd personnel due to COVID- 19.
Teachers are expected to continue remote follow-up and monitoring of students.
Meanwhile, some colleges and universities that are in “NCR Plus” have also suspended their classes following the rising number of COVID-19 cases. These schools include the University of Santo Tomas, University of the City of Manila, Cavite State University, and De La Salle University.
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