The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) said it supports the “concrete preparations” of the safe reopening of schools, following President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s approval of the pilot run of face-to-face classes.
In the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday (Sep.21), COCOPEA Managing Director Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada said they are coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to learn the guidelines to be implemented in the face-to-face classes’ pilot run as well as the 20 private schools set to participate in the pilot run.
“Well, malaking bagay po ito, so we support the concrete preparations for the reopening of our schools, iyong safe reopening of our schools. And sa palagay po namin ito ay isang malaking hakbang papunta nga po doon sa paghahanda natin ng pagbubukas ng mga eskuwelahan sa face-to-face classes,” he said.
“Sa ngayon po… pormal na po kaming humingi ng kopya ng guidelines from the Department of Education at iyon pong 20 na private schools na naaprubahan, hinihingi rin po namin ang detalye noon para mapag-aralan po namin at kung sakali ay kami ay makapagbigay rin ng mga kaunting suggestions para lalong mapagtibay iyong ating kahandaan,” he added.
COCOPEA assured that private school teachers are prepared to participate in the possible start of the limited face-to-face classes. However, the association said it is important for instructors to be COVID-19-vaccinated so that parents will allow their children to attend face-to-face classes.
“Sa palagay ko po importante po ito, itong vaccination ng ating mga teachers, kasi ‘yan din po ang unang-unang tinatanong ng mga magulang kung kanila pong mapapayagan nang bumalik …sa eskuwelahan ang kanilang mga anak,” Estrada said.
In relation to this, the COCOPEA said a “substantial percentage” of parents want to implement the in-person classes for their children, based on a survey the association conducted.
“Mayroon po kaming ginawang survey sa amin pong mga member-schools at lumabas po doon mayroong substantial percentage ng mga magulang na gusto na rin po na magkaroon na ng in-person classes or pagbabalik. Kaya lang po, siyempre may mga karagdagan na concern na bago ito mapatupad, iyon nga po gusto nilang ma-assure iyong kaligtasan ng kanilang mga anak,” Estrada said.
Meanwhile, the COCOPEA assured that it is also preparing for in-person classes by complying with the needed health protocol requirements.
Report from Kenneth Paciente/NGS- jlo
