President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed during the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 22, the resumption of full face-to-face classes after over two years of blended and online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the President noted the need to observe minimum public health standards as learners return to school.
“It has always been my belief that learning will be more effective inside classrooms where students fully interact with their teachers and fellow students,” he said.
“Since the threat of COVID-19 is still in our midst, it is important that our teachers and students continue to observe the minimum health protocols to ensure that they remain healthy while learning new things,” he added.
READ MORE: PH schools return to face-to-face classes after 2 years of pandemic
Marcos expressed confidence that the more than 28.21 million students enrolled in the K-12 system “will finally get the quality education” parents want for their children, especially with Vice President Sara Duterte leading the Department of Education (DepEd).
In a school visit in Bataan, Duterte stressed in her speech that there are “no excuses” for the resumption of classes even amid the pandemic and the impact of disasters on school facilities.
“Kailangan na po natin silang maibalik sa in-person learning dahil sa in-person learning makakakuha ng makahulugan, sapat o wasto, at dekalidad na edukasyon na kailangan nila para sa kalinangan ng kanilang pag-iisip at kakayanan bilang mga indibidwal na magiging katuwang ng pamahalaan sa pagtatag ng isang malakas na bansa,” she said.
The education chief considered the opening of classes “a victory for basic education,” parents, support staff, advocates, and education stakeholders.
“This is also the day when we made one of the important decisions on behalf of our children — a decision that will tremendously impact the future they are charting for themselves with our guidance,” she said.
Duterte also reminded students to be respectful with one another, especially to other learners with special needs. AG
– gb
